As the temperature goes up, so does your AC bills. To keep your air conditioning bills down you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Fredericksburg?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to keep the same temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also cause a shorter life span for your AC unit.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. 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 avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm 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 conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to identify small issues before they turn into significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Childress Heating & AC

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 540-675-4306 or contact us online right away for more details.