As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling costs controlled you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Magnolia?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s much more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temperature all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also cause a shorter life expectancy for your air conditioner.
In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any faster, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioning.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- 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 being required to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to detect small issues before they become serious problems. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with JTech Mechanical
No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 281-231-8768 or contact us online today for additional details.