As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your AC bills controlled you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Holdrege?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to stay at a constant temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shorter life span for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. 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 additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house enable conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to rise. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This allows our pros to locate small issues before they turn into substantial problems. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly 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 offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Durable Service

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 308-995-8177 or contact us online now for extra details.