As the temp increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your AC bills down you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Cape Coral?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.
It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve the same temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also result in a shorter life span for your HVAC system.
Regardless, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy bills will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Temperature. The DOE states 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. In the summer months, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just leads to bigger electric costs. While these temperatures could appear high, there are additional ways to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% throughout the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air indoors. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all across a home allow for cooler air to quickly get out and warmer air to get in. This can lead to your AC needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC costs to increase. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to detect little issues before they turn into significant troubles. A well-kept AC is generally more efficient and could even live for a greater period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest approaches to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively changes the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or elsewhere to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate an adequately maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no altering in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Comfort Zone, LLC
No one enjoys seeing their utility bill increase during the warmer months. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 239-214-0411 or contact us online right away for extra details.