As the temperature goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your cooling bills low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Mount Horeb?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioning going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you get 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 the same temperature all day long. It can also lead to 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 could also lead to a shorter life span for your AC.

Regardless, the larger 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 warm weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep 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 cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our pros to detect small issues before they result in serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with JW Brager Heating and Cooling

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 608-447-0555 or contact us online today for additional info.