As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your air conditioning costs low you may 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 inefficient. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s far more work for your system to keep a constant temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also cause a shorter life cycle for your AC.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, 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 just 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 keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit 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 coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get inside. This can result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to locate little issues before they become serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Moyer Total Indoor Comfort

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 484-646-3363 or contact us online now for extra info.