As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your AC expenses under control you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Florissant?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.
It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at the same setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also result in a reduced life span for your HVAC system.
No matter what, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills lower in the summer season? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Temperature. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. Through the hotter months, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just causes higher electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional ways to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC.
- Take Advantage of 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 cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air indoors. There are also some window treatments made to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all around a home allow for cooler air to quickly slip out and warm air to get within. This could cause your air conditioner having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC costs to climb. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick solutions for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our pro to detect small issues before they result in major troubles. A well-kept AC unit is typically more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest ways to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively changes the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a sufficiently maintained AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly needing us for air conditioning repair or your utility expenses are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We offer numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with B & B Heating & Cooling
No one wants to see their energy bill rise during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 314-325-7552 or contact us online right away for more details.