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

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

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

It’s significantly more work for your system to achieve the same temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also lead to a shorter life cycle for your air conditioner.

In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC 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 leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home enable conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get in. This may lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to find little issues before they result in serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or out to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may 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 compromising 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 lower this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 717-383-4479 or contact us online now for extra details.