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

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

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

It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at the same temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also cause a reduced life expectancy for your AC.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get in. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to identify little issues before they turn into serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically 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 instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 662-281-1231 or contact us online right away for additional information.