As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling costs down you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Savage?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit 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 suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back 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 laborious for your system to achieve a constant temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also result in a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.

In any case, the greater 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 electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence let conditioned air to quickly slip out and warmer air to get inside. This may lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to increase. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to locate little issues before they result in serious problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or away to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

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

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 952-373-0377 or contact us online right away for additional information.