As the temperature goes up, so does your AC bills. To keep your AC bills down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Bishop?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at the same temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also cause a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.
Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn 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.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for conditioned air to quickly get out and the heat to get within. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to locate simple issues before they become substantial problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or gone to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning
No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 760-784-9034 or contact us online today for more details.