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

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

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve the same setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shorter life expectancy for your HVAC system.

In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any quicker, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home allow for conditioned air to quickly slip out and the heat to get within. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your AC bills to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to spot little issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly cared for AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 208-561-1226 or contact us online now for more details.