As the heat rises, so does your energy costs. To keep your cooling bills down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Libertyville?
It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioning on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting 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 is able to do the job for you.
It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at a consistent setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also result in a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.
In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning costs will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills lower in the summer? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. During the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might feel high, there are a number of approaches to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% throughout the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep conditioned air indoors. There are also some window treatments intended to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house enable conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get in. This could result in your AC unit needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC expenses to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to spot simple issues before they become serious problems. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively alters the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly cared for AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often contacting us for air conditioning repair or your utility costs are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We carry numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 847-362-0262 or contact us online today for extra information.