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

It’s a widespread 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 day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to achieve a constant setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also lead to a shorter life cycle for your AC unit.

In any case, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? 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

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. During the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to locate simple issues before they become serious problems. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or elsewhere to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Scott Temperature

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 785-269-0465 or contact us online now for extra information.