As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC bills down you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Monroe?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioning running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to achieve the same setting for many hours. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also result in a reduced life cycle for your HVAC system.

In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily slip out and the heat to get in. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to climb. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to detect small issues before they result in serious dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Lanz Furnace and Fireplace

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 608-291-3606 or contact us online today for additional information.