As the temperature increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning expenses under control you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Savage?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioner on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.
It’s much more laborious for your system to stay at the same temp throughout the day. It can also result in 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 could also result in a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.
No matter what, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy 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 Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak 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. Through 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 avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to rise. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our experts to detect little issues before they become significant problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. 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 Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning
No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 952-373-0377 or contact us online right away for additional information.