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

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

Keeping your air conditioner running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

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

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also lead to a shorter life cycle for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways 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 increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. 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 abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of 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 be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get within. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to identify little issues before they turn into significant problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly taken care of air conditioner to last 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 an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses down this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 760-784-9034 or contact us online today for additional information.