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

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

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to achieve a consistent setting all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also cause a shortened life cycle for your AC.

No matter what, 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 electric bills low in the summer? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home permit conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get in. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our experts to find simple issues before they turn into serious problems. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills down this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 952-373-0377 or contact us online now for additional details.