As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your AC bills down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Mobile?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your AC on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to keep the same temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also result in a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. Through the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house enable conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get inside. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to increase. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to find simple issues before they result in significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re home or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 251-471-2674 or contact us online right away for more info.