As the temp increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling bills down you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Magnolia?
It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you get back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.
It’s far more laborious for your system to keep the same temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain 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 shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.
No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC costs will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills lower in the warm weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can spend up to 10% less a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. During the hotter months, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally 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 home any quicker, it just results in bigger energy costs. While these temperatures could feel toasty, there are additional ways to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioning.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% during the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep chilled air indoors. There are also some window coverings made to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all across a residence let cool air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get within. This can cause your AC needing to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy solutions for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Arrange Regular Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always performing at its best. This lets our professionals to find little issues before they become serious troubles. A clean AC is generally more efficient and could even last longer.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest approaches to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically alters the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate an adequately maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently needing us for air conditioning repair or your energy costs are rising with no altering in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with JTech Mechanical
No one wants to see their electricity bill rise during the warmer months. If you’re wanting more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 281-231-8768 or contact us online now for extra info.