As the temp rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling expenses controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Pacheco?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it down when you get back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to achieve a constant temp throughout the day. It can also result in 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 could also result in a reduced life span for your AC.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based off of 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% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any faster, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably 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 makes sure your unit is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to find small issues before they become major problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Clean Air HVAC

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 925-233-6238 or contact us online right away for additional information.