As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling expenses under control you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Cape Coral?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do 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 a constant temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

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

In any case, 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 keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly escape and the heat to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to increase. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to detect simple issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Comfort Zone, LLC

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 239-214-0411 or contact us online now for more details.