As the temp goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC costs controlled you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Neptune City?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to keep the same setting throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a shortened life cycle for your air conditioner.

In any case, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance 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 away at work. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm 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 lowered and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home allow for conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get within. This could result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to identify simple issues before they become major troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and efficiency 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 notice when you’re at your house or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Aggressive Mechanical

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 732-806-5536 or contact us online today for extra details.