As the temp goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses controlled you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Plover?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at the same setting throughout the day. It can also cause 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 electricity bills, it can also result in a shorter life expectancy for your AC.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? 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. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home let conditioned air to easily slip out and the heat to get within. This could result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our experts to find simple issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or out to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC unit to run 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 might be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Point Heating & Cooling

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 715-504-0533 or contact us online today for additional details.