As the temperature rises, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning costs low 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 AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to keep a consistent temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also cause a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get in. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to detect little issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with ACS Heating and Air Conditioning

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