As the temperature goes up, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning bills low you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Huntsville?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it 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 achieve a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also cause a shortened life cycle for your air conditioner.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based off of 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 states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home enable conditioned air to quickly get out and warm air to get inside. This could cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC bills to rise. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to detect little issues before they result in significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to 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 day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re home or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may 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 negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 256-801-4701 or contact us online now for more info.