As the heat rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC expenses controlled you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Dresden?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s much more laborious for your system to keep a consistent temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a shorter life expectancy for your AC unit.
Regardless, the greater 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 utility bills lower in the summer season? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can spend up to 10% less a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while 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 down your home any quicker, it just results in more expensive electric expenses. While these temperatures may seem high, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioning.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% throughout the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep conditioned air in. There are also some window treatments made to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings all around a residence permit conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get in. This may result in your air conditioner having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy expenses to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always running at its most energy efficient. This permits our experts to locate small issues before they result in substantial troubles. A well-kept AC is generally more efficient and might even run longer.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest approaches to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively alters the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or out to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently contacting us for air conditioning repair or your AC costs are rising with no shifts in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with McFadden Heating & Cooling
No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill rise during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 1-866-781-0111 or contact us online right away for more details.