As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning bills. 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 widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

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

No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy 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 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house allow for conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get in. This may lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to identify simple issues before they become substantial troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Aggressive Mechanical

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 732-806-5536 or contact us online today for more info.