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

It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting 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 everything for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to achieve the same setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also lead to a shortened life span for your HVAC system.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions 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

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also 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 residence any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get in. This may cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our pros to spot little issues before they result in significant troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly taken care of AC 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 might be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

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

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 770-450-1539 or contact us online now for additional details.