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

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to keep the same temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also lead to a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy 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 Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to spot small issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest 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 together with your smartphone to see when you’re home or gone to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly taken care of air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

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

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 256-801-4701 or contact us online now for extra info.