As the temp rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling bills under control you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Columbia?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.
It’s far more work for your system to keep a consistent temp throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also lead to a shortened life span for your HVAC system.
No matter what, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are many methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer 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 shut during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get inside. This can result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC bills to rise. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to identify small issues before they turn into substantial dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly taken care of air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently 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 trading comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Watts Electric & AC
No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 601-736-7362 or contact us online now for more information.