As the temperature goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning bills down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Alice?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s far more taxing for your system to keep a consistent setting 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 reduced life cycle for your air conditioner.
Regardless, 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 electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. In the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioner.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get inside. This may lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to detect little issues before they turn into substantial troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Rescue Heating & Air
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 361-265-4371 or contact us online now for additional details.