As the heat goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs low you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Carson City?

It’s a widespread 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 going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Through the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get in. This may cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to rise. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to locate small issues before they become serious problems. 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 guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Anderson Heating & A/C

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills down this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 775-230-7628 or contact us online right away for extra details.