As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Moline?

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

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at a consistent 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 may also lead to a shorter life span for your HVAC system.

In any case, the bigger 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 keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. In the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility bills to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to detect small issues before they become substantial problems. A well-kept 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 energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or away to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Freed Heating & Air Conditioning

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 309-323-9584 or contact us online today for extra information.