Is it Cheaper to Leave Your AC on All Day in the Summer?

June 19, 2020

As the heat rises, so does your AC bills. To keep your AC expenses under control you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Kutztown and Breinigsville?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to achieve a consistent setting throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also cause a shorter life expectancy for your HVAC system.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills lower in the summer season? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

6 Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Temperature. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. During the warmer months, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just results in higher energy expenses. While these temperatures might seem toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% throughout the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings intended to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings around a house enable conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get within. This could cause your AC unit being required to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility expenses to increase. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick solutions for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its most energy efficient. This lets our pro to identify small issues before they become substantial troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even live longer.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest approaches to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling bills.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee an adequately cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no altering in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Moyer Total Indoor Comfort

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re wanting more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 484-646-3363 or contact us online today for extra details.