As the heat rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs down you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Woodbridge?
It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend 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 can do everything for you.
It’s considerably more laborious for your system to stay at a constant temp throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shortened life span for your AC unit.
In any case, 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 stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. 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. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence let conditioned air to quickly slip out and the heat to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility bills to climb. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pros to locate small issues before they result in significant problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or away to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Fire & Ice HVAC
No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 703-595-4157 or contact us online now for more details.