As the temp rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning bills low you might 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 air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioning going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to achieve a consistent setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of stress on 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 shortened life cycle for your AC.

In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher 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 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. Tweak 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 when you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while 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 unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get in. This can result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to increase. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our pros to spot small issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest 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 along with your smartphone to know when you’re home or elsewhere to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly cared for air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Kapaun & Brown

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills down this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 641-812-2028 or contact us online now for additional details.