As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling costs under control you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Muldrow?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s significantly more taxing for your system to keep a consistent temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.
No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy costs will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills lower in the hot weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE affirms that you can spend up to 10% less a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. In the warmer months, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just causes higher utility costs. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many approaches to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep conditioned air indoors. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps all around a house allow for cool air to easily get out and warmer air to get within. This could result in your air conditioner needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC costs to climb. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy mends for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to find little issues before they turn into major troubles. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest ways to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively changes the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee an adequately maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently contacting us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Air Service Co.
No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re seeking more ways to keep your energy use and bills down this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 918-212-8943 or contact us online right away for extra information.