As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Manassas?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to stay at the same temp for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also lead to a shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. 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 decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get within. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This permits our experts to spot simple issues before they become substantial problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or elsewhere to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Fire & Ice HVAC

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 703-595-4157 or contact us online now for extra info.