As the temp goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling bills down you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Greensburg?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioner running 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 come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s considerably more taxing for your system to keep a consistent temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also cause a shortened life cycle for your AC.
Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. Through the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to quickly slip out and the heat to get within. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to spot simple issues before they become serious troubles. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or away to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly taken care of air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Wallpe Heating & Cooling
No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warm 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 812-663-7252 or contact us online today for additional details.