As the temperature increases, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Pflugerville?

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

Keeping your air conditioning going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend 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 is able to do the work for you.

It’s much more work for your system to achieve the same temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also cause a shortened life cycle for your AC.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In the summer, it’s suggested 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 forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your home any quicker, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get in. This can result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to locate small issues before they turn into significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

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

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 512-355-1482 or contact us online right away for more info.