As the temp goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC expenses low you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Holbrook?

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

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at a constant setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

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

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when 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 AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get in. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify small issues before they turn into major troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re home or elsewhere to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 631-460-5159 or contact us online today for extra info.