As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling expenses under control you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Moline?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s much more work for your system to keep a consistent temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.

In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas 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. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. During the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get inside. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to increase. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to spot small issues before they turn into substantial problems. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Freed Heating & Air Conditioning

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 309-323-9584 or contact us online right away for extra info.