As the temperature goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your cooling bills down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Carpentersville?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC 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 out, and turning it down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.
It’s a lot more work for your system to keep the same temp throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also lead to a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility 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
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. In the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioning.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get in. This can result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always running at its most efficient. This permits our experts to spot small issues before they turn into substantial dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or away to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Controlled Comfort HVAC
No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 224-412-8308 or contact us online now for more information.
