As the heat increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning bills controlled 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 AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to keep a constant temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of stress on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also cause a shorter life span for your HVAC system.

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

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home allow for conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warm 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 rise. Make certain 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. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our experts to detect small issues before they turn into major troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re home or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

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

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 consumption and bills low this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 519-683-2339 or contact us online today for more details.