As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC bills under control you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Libertyville?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to stay at a constant temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also cause a shortened life cycle for your HVAC system.

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

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising 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 summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home enable conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get within. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always running at its most efficient. This permits our pros to spot simple issues before they become serious dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with TopTec

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs low this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 847-362-0262 or contact us online now for more info.