As the temp rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your AC costs low you could be asking yourself, 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 wasteful. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioning going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.
It’s a lot more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.
In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC 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 upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. During 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 colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly get out and warmer air to get in. This could cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cooler and your AC bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to identify small issues before they result in serious dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly taken care of air conditioner to live 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 could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning
No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 402-509-5940 or contact us online now for more information.