As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your cooling bills controlled you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Rockford?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you get back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at the same temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change 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 position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using 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 spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house permit conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get in. This may lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cool and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to spot small issues before they result in serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly taken care of 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 might be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses down this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at (815) 914-6197 or contact us online now for more information.