As the temperature rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your AC bills 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 widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.
It’s a lot more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also cause a shorter life cycle for your air conditioner.
In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. During the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 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 areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to identify simple issues before they result in significant problems. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Aggressive Mechanical
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 732-806-5536 or contact us online right away for more info.