As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC bills controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Holdrege?

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

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s much more work for your system to achieve a consistent temp throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a shorter life expectancy for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. 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 additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get within. This could cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to climb. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This permits our experts to identify small issues before they turn into serious troubles. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Durable Service

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 308-995-8177 or contact us online right away for additional details.