As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling expenses under control you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Wharton?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your air conditioning running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.
It’s considerably more laborious for your system to keep the same temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.
In any case, the larger 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 utility bills down in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can spend up to 10% less annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. In the warmer months, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just causes more expensive energy expenses. While these temperatures might seem high, there are many ways to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% throughout the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments meant to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps around a house allow for conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get inside. This could result in your AC unit needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy expenses to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy mends for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Plan for Regular Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always running at its most energy efficient. This allows our pro to locate simple issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A well-kept AC is generally more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best approaches to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect an adequately maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly contacting us for air conditioning repair or your utility expenses are skyrocketing with no shifts in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We carry numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Faust Air Conditioning and Heating
No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy usage and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 979-323-6130 or contact us online now for additional info.