As the heat goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses down you may be wondering, 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 a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioning going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s a lot more work for your system to stay at a constant setting all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shorter life cycle for your AC unit.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warm air to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to spot small issues before they become serious problems. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or away to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with McFadden Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 1-866-781-0111 or contact us online now for additional details.