As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Arlington?
It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.
It’s far more work for your system to stay at the same temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also lead to a shorter life cycle for your AC unit.
Regardless, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position 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 lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any sooner, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house permit conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get in. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cool and your AC bills to increase. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our pros to spot simple issues before they result in serious problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning
No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 360-255-5857 or contact us online right away for extra details.