As the temp goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC bills down you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Moline?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest 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 the work for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to stay at the same temperature throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also lead to a shortened life cycle for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based off of 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% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house permit conditioned air to easily get out and warm air to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility bills to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our pros to detect simple issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or away to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

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

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses down this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 309-323-9584 or contact us online today for additional information.