As the temperature rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your cooling bills down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Rockford?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.
It’s a lot more laborious for your system to keep a constant setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also lead to a shortened life cycle for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC costs will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Temperature. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the warmer months, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any sooner, it just causes more expensive utility expenses. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of approaches to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn during the day helps keep chilled air indoors. There are also some window coverings intended to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let cooler air to easily get out and warm air to get within. This can result in your AC unit being required to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Schedule Routine Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always performing at its best. This permits our experts to spot small issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept AC unit is generally more efficient and might even run longer.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively alters the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on energy bills.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect an adequately taken care of air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently contacting us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no altering in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc
No one likes to see their utility bill rise during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at (815)914-6197 or contact us online now for additional info.