As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Athol?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s much more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also lead to a reduced life cycle for your AC.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any quicker, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to find simple issues before they result in substantial problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 208-561-1226 or contact us online today for more details.