As the temperature rises, so does your AC costs. To keep your AC costs under control you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Pflugerville?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your AC going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temperature 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 could also lead to a reduced life cycle for your HVAC system.
No matter what, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC bills will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can save up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just results in more expensive energy bills. While these temperatures may seem high, there are additional ways to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% throughout the warmer months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cool air indoors. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings all around a home let conditioned air to quickly slip out and the heat to get in. This can result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC costs to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple solutions for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Regular Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always performing at its most energy efficient. This permits our experts to locate small issues before they result in serious troubles. A maintained AC is typically more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest ways to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively alters the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or away to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on energy bills.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently needing us for air conditioning repair or your energy costs are skyrocketing with no altering in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We offer numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning
No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill increase during the summer. If you’re seeking more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 512-355-1482 or contact us online today for extra details.