As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs under control 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 popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to achieve a constant temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also result in a reduced life expectancy for your AC.

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

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and warmer air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always running at its most efficient. This permits our pros to detect little issues before they turn into major troubles. A clean 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 easiest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Air Alliance Team

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 636-206-4584 or contact us online today for extra information.