As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your air conditioning bills down you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Tucker?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting 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 is able to do everything for you.

It’s far more work for your system to achieve a consistent temperature throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also cause a shorter life cycle for your air conditioner.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms 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 out of the house. During the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time 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 air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease 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 areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warm air to get within. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your utility bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our experts to find simple issues before they become major troubles. 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 best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with ACS Heating and Air Conditioning

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 770-450-1539 or contact us online today for additional details.