As the heat increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling costs controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Arlington?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to keep a consistent temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also cause a shortened life expectancy for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. 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 house any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen 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 be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home enable conditioned air to quickly escape and the heat to get within. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to increase. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to detect simple issues before they result in significant problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly maintained AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 360-255-5857 or contact us online now for additional info.