As the temp rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling costs low you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Greensburg?

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

Keeping your air conditioning going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to keep a constant setting throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally 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 home any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house enable conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get within. This may cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to rise. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify small issues before they result in serious problems. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly cared for air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often 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 carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Wallpe Heating & Cooling

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 812-663-7252 or contact us online now for more information.