As the temp rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your cooling bills under control you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in York?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.
Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s significantly more work for your system to achieve a consistent setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a reduced life span for your AC.
Regardless, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy costs will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills down in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE says that you can save up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. During the summer months, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just leads to more expensive utility costs. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% during the course of the summer. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. 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 chilled air in. There are also some window coverings intended to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings all across a house let cool air to easily slip out and warm air to get inside. This may result in your AC unit needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your utility costs to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple mends for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always running at its most energy efficient. This permits our experts to spot small issues before they turn into serious troubles. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adapts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re home or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on energy expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee an adequately maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility expenses are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We offer a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning
No one likes to see their utility bill rise during the warm months. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 717-383-4479 or contact us online today for more info.