As the heat increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling costs down you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Newton?

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

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to keep the same temp throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

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

No matter what, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based upon 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% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s recommended 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 cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get within. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to increase. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to find small issues before they result in major dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure 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 sense when you’re home or out to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Brookwood Inc

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 641-316-9803 or contact us online now for more info.