As the heat increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your cooling bills controlled you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Hendersonville?

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

Keeping your AC on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also cause a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.

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 utility bills low in the summer? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak 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 during the time you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 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 keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home enable conditioned air to easily get out and warm air to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cool and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to locate little issues before they result in significant problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Superior Comfort Systems

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs low this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 828-202-7025 or contact us online right away for more info.