As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses under control you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Huntsville?
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 conditioner running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.
It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at a constant temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress 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 shorter life expectancy for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy costs 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®.
6 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Temperature. The DOE states that you can save up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. In the warmer months, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just causes bigger electric expenses. While these temperatures could seem high, there are a number of approaches to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cool air indoors. There are also some window solutions made to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps all across a house enable cool air to quickly escape and warm air to get in. This could lead to your AC needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility expenses to increase. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to find little issues before they result in serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even live for a greater period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or away to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on energy bills.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate an adequately maintained AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently needing us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc
No one wants to see their utility bill rise during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 256-801-4701 or contact us online today for additional info.