As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling costs controlled you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in New Castle?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioner running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to achieve the same temperature throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shortened life cycle for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility 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 Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust 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 away at work. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy 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 leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house enable conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your AC bills to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to locate little issues before they turn into substantial problems. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to 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 with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or elsewhere to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Central Heating & Plumbing

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 724-401-1843 or contact us online now for more details.