As the temperature goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your AC bills controlled you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Beckley?

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

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s much more work for your system to keep a consistent setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also result in a shorter life expectancy for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to find simple issues before they turn into significant troubles. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or elsewhere to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly taken care of air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Appalachian Heating

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 304-707-0600 or contact us online today for extra info.