As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Temple/Belton ?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s much more work for your system to stay at a constant setting for many hours. It can also result in a lot of stress on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also cause a shorter life cycle for your AC.

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

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your home any faster, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low 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 enable conditioned air to quickly get out and warmer air to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to identify simple issues before they become significant dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even live 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 automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly taken care of AC 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 new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Bell Air Conditioning Inc

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 bills low this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 254-307-9572 or contact us online today for extra information.