As the temperature rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC bills under control you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Auburn and Opelika?

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

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s much more laborious for your system to achieve a consistent temperature throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while 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 usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any faster, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your AC bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, 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 ensures your system is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify little issues before they result in serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Farnell Mechanical, Inc.

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 334-524-2458 or contact us online now for more information.