As the temperature increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your air conditioning bills low 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 wasteful. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy 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 Increase 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 raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of 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 treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to rise. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to locate little issues before they turn into major troubles. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or elsewhere to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy 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 bargaining comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Scott Temperature

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 785-269-0465 or contact us online right away for more info.