As the temperature goes up, so does your AC costs. To keep your AC costs controlled you could be asking yourself, 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 air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioner running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come 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 setting for many hours. It can also result in 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 may also cause a shortened life span for your air conditioner.
In any case, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on 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 exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home let conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to climb. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to locate small issues before they turn into major troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or away to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Air Concepts of Middle Georgia
No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 478-200-5689 or contact us online now for extra details.