As the temperature rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC bills controlled you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Genoa?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

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

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally 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 off your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC.
  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 lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to increase. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our pros to spot small issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure 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 see when you’re home or away to maximize your energy 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 AC Unit. You can foresee 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 skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Assured Appliance & Heating & Air

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 847-306-8990 or contact us online today for extra information.