As the heat rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Streamwood?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.
It’s a lot more laborious for your system to keep a constant temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also cause a shorter life expectancy for your AC.
In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get in. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our pros to find small issues before they become significant problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Pure Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning
No one enjoys seeing their energy 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. Reach us at 630-313-2509 or contact us online right away for extra info.