As the temp rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning expenses down you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Florissant?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioning going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temp throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your AC.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. During the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home permit conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get within. This can lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to find little issues before they turn into substantial dilemmas. 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 best methods to assure comfort and energy savings 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 know when you’re home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with B & B Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 314-325-7552 or contact us online right away for more details.