As the temperature increases, so does your AC expenses. To keep your cooling costs under control you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Siloam Springs?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your air conditioning running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.
It’s much more taxing for your system to achieve the same temperature throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also lead to a shortened life expectancy for your HVAC system.
In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor 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 down in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE states that you can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. In the hotter months, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your home any faster, it just leads to more expensive electric costs. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% during the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air in. There are also some window treatments made to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps around a house permit conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get inside. This may cause your AC unit being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy expenses to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Routine Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most energy efficient. This lets our pro to identify little issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A well-kept AC unit is generally more efficient and might even last longer.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best approaches to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively alters 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 savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a sufficiently cared for air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly needing us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We carry a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Siloam Springs Heating & AC
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill increase during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 479-308-8176 or contact us online right away for extra info.