As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your air conditioning bills controlled you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Hasbrouck Heights?

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

Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s a lot more taxing for your system to keep a consistent temperature all day long. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also cause a shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust 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 when you’re out. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC 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 head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house permit conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always running at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to detect simple issues before they become major problems. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest 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 in your home or out to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to live 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 could be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with ACE Solutions

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 201-579-2562 or contact us online right away for extra details.