As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC expenses under control you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Chadron?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your air conditioner running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s far more work for your system to achieve the same 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 utility bills, it may also result in a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.
Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy costs will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills lower in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Temperature. The DOE states that you can spend up to 10% less a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any faster, it just causes more expensive energy bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air in. There are also some window treatments meant to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home enable cool air to easily escape and warmer air to get in. This could cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC costs to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Arrange Routine Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always performing at its most energy efficient. This permits our professionals to detect little issues before they become serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically changes the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling bills.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee an adequately 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 climbing with no altering in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with MPC Heating & Cooling
No one likes to see their utility bill rise during the warmer months. If you’re wanting more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses down this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 308-832-4321 or contact us online today for additional details.