As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses low you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in South Beloit and Belvidere?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioning on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to achieve a consistent setting all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also cause a reduced life span for your AC unit.

In any case, the larger 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 electric bills low in the summer season? 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly get out and warm air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC 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. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to locate simple issues before they turn into substantial problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 877-389-2465 or contact us online right away for extra info.