As the heat goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Goshen?

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

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to keep a constant temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also cause a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater 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 on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get within. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to increase. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to identify little issues before they become significant dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Just Right Heating and Cooling

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 513-392-4969 or contact us online right away for additional details.