As the temp increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC bills down you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Des Moines?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioning going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s significantly more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temperature throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also cause a shorter life span for your AC unit.
Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy bills will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills lower in the hot weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE affirms that you can spend up to 10% less per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. During the summer months, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just causes higher utility expenses. While these temperatures could seem high, there are additional approaches to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air indoors. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable cool air to rapidly get out and the heat to get within. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy costs to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always performing at its best. This permits our experts to identify simple issues before they result in serious problems. A maintained AC is generally more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively alters the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or away to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling bills.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly contacting us for air conditioning repair or your utility costs are increasing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We supply a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.