As the temperature increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your air conditioning bills down 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 inefficient. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at a constant temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also result in a reduced life cycle for your HVAC system.

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

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. 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 while you’re away. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. 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 down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get inside. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility bills to increase. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to detect little issues before they become serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or gone to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning

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