As the temperature increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your AC costs down you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Ballwin and St. Charles?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to keep a consistent setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also lead to a shorter life span for your AC.

In any case, the larger 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 electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Through 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 abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house permit conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get within. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify small issues before they become serious problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC 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 compromising comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Air Alliance Team

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 636-206-4250 or contact us online now for additional details.