As the temperature rises, so does your AC expenses. 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 Wyandotte?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at a constant temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also result in a shortened life cycle for your air conditioner.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? 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. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get within. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to find little issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to 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 with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning

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 bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 734-284-1224 or contact us online now for additional details.