As the temperature rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills low you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Alice?

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

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a shorter life expectancy for your AC unit.

In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC 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 upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change 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 when you’re away. During the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen 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 head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure 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 ensures your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to identify simple issues before they result in substantial problems. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Rescue Heating & Air

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 361-265-4371 or contact us online right away for extra information.