As the temperature increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Mobile?
It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s considerably more laborious for your system to keep a constant temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also cause a shorter life span for your AC unit.
Regardless, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC costs will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Temperature. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the summer months, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just results in more expensive utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air indoors. There are also some window coverings made to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings all around a home enable cool air to quickly escape and warmer air to get within. This may cause your AC unit needing to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility expenses to rise. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Regular Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pro to locate little issues before they turn into serious dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live longer.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure an adequately cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often needing us for air conditioning repair or your utility expenses are skyrocketing with no altering 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.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc
No one wants to see their air conditioning bill rise during the summer season. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy use and bills down this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 251-471-2674 or contact us online right away for extra info.