As the temp rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs low you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s considerably more taxing for your system to stay at the same setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also cause a shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.
In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Enhance 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 raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. 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 out. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house enable conditioned air to quickly escape and the heat to get in. This may lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC bills to increase. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our experts to spot simple issues before they become major troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Air Concepts of Middle Georgia
No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 478-200-5689 or contact us online right away for extra info.