As the temp increases, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Zelienople?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at a constant temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also lead to a reduced life cycle for your AC unit.

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

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. During the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home allow for conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your AC bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to detect simple issues before they result in serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or away to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Knoechel Heating

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 724-425-5852 or contact us online right away for extra info.