As the heat goes up, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning costs down you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Temple/Belton ?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to achieve a constant setting all day long. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a reduced life cycle for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. During the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home let conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get in. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cooler and your AC bills to rise. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always running at its most efficient. This allows our pros to identify simple issues before they turn into significant problems. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly cared for AC unit to live 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 may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Bell Air Conditioning Inc

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 254-307-9572 or contact us online right away for extra details.