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

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s a lot more taxing for your system to keep a constant temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your AC.

In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any sooner, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home let conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get in. This may cause your AC equipment having 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 quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to find simple issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Clean Air HVAC

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 925-233-6238 or contact us online today for more details.