As the heat increases, so does your energy costs. To keep your cooling costs controlled you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Siloam Springs?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

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

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also result in a shorter life cycle for your AC.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool 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 using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get in. This may lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cool and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our experts to identify simple issues before they result in serious troubles. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or out to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Siloam Springs Heating & AC

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 479-308-8176 or contact us online right away for additional details.