As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC costs down you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Newark?

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 air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s a lot more taxing for your system to achieve the same temperature throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a reduced life cycle for your AC unit.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost 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. Through the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to skyrocket. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our pros to identify little issues before they turn into major problems. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or out to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly taken care of AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Luikart Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses down this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 740-344-5497 or contact us online today for additional details.