As the temp goes up, so does your AC bills. To keep your cooling costs controlled you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Crown Point?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to achieve the same setting throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also result in a shorter life expectancy for your air conditioner.

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

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, 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 improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home permit conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get within. This may cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to locate little issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re home or away to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Struven Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 219-292-0956 or contact us online now for extra details.