As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your cooling bills down you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Alliance?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at a constant temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a shorter life expectancy for your AC unit.

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

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms 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 away. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house let conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get in. This could cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This allows our pros to locate little issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on energy 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 regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 308-762-1613 or contact us online right away for extra info.