As the temperature goes up, so does your AC bills. To keep your AC expenses down you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Pflugerville?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to keep a constant temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also result in a shorter life span for your air conditioner.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional 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 a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house allow for conditioned air to quickly get out and warmer air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility bills to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to detect small issues before they result in serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in 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 know when you’re at home or elsewhere to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly cared for AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 512-355-1482 or contact us online right away for extra details.