As the heat increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC costs down you could be asking yourself, 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 wasteful. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s far more work for your system to keep a consistent temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also cause a shortened life expectancy for your AC.

No matter what, 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 stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence let conditioned air to rapidly get out and warm air to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to find simple issues before they turn into major problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 208-561-1226 or contact us online today for more info.