As the heat increases, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC on 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 come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to stay at the same temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also cause a shorter life span for your air conditioner.

In any case, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher 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 upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility bills to climb. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to find simple issues before they result in substantial problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or out to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Air Concepts of Middle Georgia

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 478-200-5689 or contact us online right away for additional info.