As the heat rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC bills down you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Omaha?

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

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s a lot more work for your system to keep the same setting throughout the day. 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 energy bills, it may also result in a reduced life expectancy for your HVAC system.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas 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. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home let conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pros to spot small issues before they turn into serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or out to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 402-509-5940 or contact us online now for more details.