As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your AC expenses down you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Arlington?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to keep a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also lead to a reduced life cycle for your air conditioner.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. During the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cooler and your utility bills to climb. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pros to detect simple issues before they turn into significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or elsewhere to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 360-255-5857 or contact us online now for more info.