As the temp rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling expenses down you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Carson City?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioner going constantly 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 achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.
It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at the same temp throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a reduced life cycle for your air conditioner.
No matter what, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning bills will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just causes bigger energy costs. While these temperatures may seem warm, there are a number of ways to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% throughout the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air in. There are also some window coverings made to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all around a house allow for cooler air to quickly get out and warmer air to get in. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC expenses to rise. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always running at its most energy efficient. This permits our professionals to locate small issues before they result in significant problems. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even last for a greater period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest approaches to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adapts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re home or away to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate an adequately maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy expenses are skyrocketing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it may 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 bargaining comfort.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Anderson Heating & A/C
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill rise during the summer season. If you’re seeking more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 775-230-7628 or contact us online right away for extra details.