As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Florissant and St. Charles?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s much more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence let conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get in. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to spot small issues before they result in significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with B & B Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 314-325-7552 or contact us online now for additional details.