As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your AC costs controlled you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Ballwin and St. Charles?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioner on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.
It’s a lot more taxing for your system to keep a consistent temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.
No matter what, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC costs will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can spend up to 10% less a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. In the warmer months, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just causes more expensive electric bills. While these temperatures may feel high, there are a number of approaches to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% during the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep chilled air in. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all across a house permit cool air to easily escape and warm air to get in. This could lead to your AC unit being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always performing at its best. This lets our professionals to detect simple issues before they result in substantial troubles. A well-kept AC is generally more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or out to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a sufficiently taken care of AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often contacting us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We supply a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Air Alliance Team
No one enjoys seeing their utility bill rise during the warm months. If you’re wanting more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 636-206-4250 or contact us online right away for more info.