As the temperature goes up, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling costs under control you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Greensburg?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s a lot more work for your system to achieve the same temperature all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shortened life span for your AC.

No matter what, the bigger 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 summer season? Here are our tips 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 affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get within. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our pros to find simple issues before they become substantial problems. A maintained 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 greatest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Wallpe Heating & Cooling

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 812-663-7252 or contact us online right away for more details.