As the temp rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling expenses down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Hasbrouck Heights?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.
It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temperature throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also lead to a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.
In any case, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC costs will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills lower in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can spend up to 10% less a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. Through the summer months, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your home any quicker, it just causes more expensive electric bills. While these temperatures may feel toasty, there are many ways to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% throughout the warmer months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air in. There are also some window treatments intended to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for cooler air to rapidly get out and warm air to get inside. This may lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC costs to rise. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Routine Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most energy efficient. This lets our experts to locate simple issues before they turn into significant troubles. A clean AC unit is typically more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest ways to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively changes the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee an adequately cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently needing us for air conditioning repair or your utility costs are increasing with no shifts in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We offer a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with ACE Solutions
No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re seeking more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 201-579-2562 or contact us online today for additional info.