As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling bills controlled you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Brookfield?

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

Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to keep a constant temp throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also lead to a shorter life cycle for your AC unit.

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

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warm air to get within. This could lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to detect small issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy 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 regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing 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.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Central Air LLC

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 203-357-5913 or contact us online right away for more info.