As the heat goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC expenses controlled you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in York?

It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to stay at a consistent temp throughout the day. It can also result in 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 can also cause a shorter life expectancy for your air conditioner.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain 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®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year 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 advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get within. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to locate small issues before they turn into substantial problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Strine's

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses down this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 717-383-4479 or contact us online right away for more info.