As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling costs controlled you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Holdrege?
It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioning on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.
It’s much more work for your system to stay at a consistent temperature all day long. 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 energy bills, it may also cause a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the bigger 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 low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak 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 during the time you’re away. During the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC 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 exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home let conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cool and your AC bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to find little issues before they become serious troubles. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Durable Service
No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 308-995-8177 or contact us online right away for additional info.
