As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your air conditioning expenses down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Franklin Lakes?
It’s a widespread 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 conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.
It’s a lot more laborious for your system to achieve a constant setting all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also lead to a shorter life expectancy for your air conditioner.
In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning bills will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills lower in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Temperature. The DOE states that you can spend up to 10% less per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. Through the hotter months, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may seem toasty, there are many approaches to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 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 keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air indoors. There are also some window treatments meant to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all around a house allow for cool air to quickly get out and warm air to get within. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC costs to increase. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick solutions for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pro to locate simple issues before they turn into serious dilemmas. A well-kept AC is usually more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best approaches to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically alters the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re home or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a sufficiently cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often contacting us for air conditioning repair or your utility expenses are climbing with no altering in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Total Comfort
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 expenses lower this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 201-268-5663 or contact us online today for more details.