As the temp increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Oxford?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.
It’s much more work for your system to keep the same temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also cause a shorter life expectancy for your HVAC system.
In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills lower in the warm weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Temperature. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. In the summer months, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any quicker, it just leads to more expensive energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many ways to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% throughout the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments meant to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home permit cooler air to quickly get out and warm air to get inside. This can cause your AC being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility expenses to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy solutions for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its best. This allows our pro to locate simple issues before they result in major dilemmas. A well-kept AC is typically more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best approaches to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively alters the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or gone to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly needing us for air conditioning repair or your energy expenses are skyrocketing with no shifts in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc
No one likes to see their energy bill increase during the summer. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 662-281-1231 or contact us online today for extra information.