As the temperature increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling bills low you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Huntingburg?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to achieve a constant temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as 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 residence any quicker, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler 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 home let conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get within. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to spot simple issues before they turn into major troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re home or elsewhere to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to run 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 may be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Dearing's Service & Solutions

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 812-200-5844 or contact us online now for additional info.