As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling costs down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lawrence?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s a lot more taxing for your system to achieve a consistent temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a shortened life cycle for your HVAC system.
Regardless, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. During the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get within. This can result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cool and your energy bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to detect small issues before they result in major problems. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or out to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing 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 compromising comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Scott Temperature
No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 785-269-0465 or contact us online now for additional details.