As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your air conditioning expenses low you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Marshalltown?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to achieve a consistent temp throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also result in a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based on 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 affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s recommended to position 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 lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home let conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get in. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to find small issues before they turn into major problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even last 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 regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re home or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly taken care of AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Kapaun & Brown

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 641-812-2028 or contact us online right away for additional info.