As the temp increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling costs under control you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in New Castle?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s far more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temperature all day long. 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 electricity bills, it may also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set 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 lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioner.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and warm air to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always running at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to spot simple issues before they result in significant problems. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Central Heating & Plumbing
No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 724-401-1843 or contact us online right away for more details.