As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your cooling costs low you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Manassas?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s a lot more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a shorter life span for your AC.

In any case, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let conditioned air to quickly get out and warmer air to get in. This can cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our pros to detect small issues before they result in serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

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

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 703-595-4157 or contact us online now for extra details.