As the temperature goes up, so does your energy bills. To keep your AC costs low you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Siloam Springs?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s much more work for your system to keep a constant temperature all day long. It can also result in 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 might also result in a shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.

No matter what, the bigger 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 low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas 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 affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising 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 leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home allow for conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your energy bills to rise. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pros to identify little issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or out to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Siloam Springs Heating & AC

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 479-308-8176 or contact us online today for extra info.