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

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

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to achieve the same temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also result in a shortened life expectancy for your AC.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and the heat to get in. This can result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to identify small issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or away to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Childress Heating & AC

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 540-675-4306 or contact us online now for extra info.