As the heat increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses down you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Marshalltown?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at the same temp throughout the day. It can also cause 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 can also cause a shorter life cycle for your AC.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based off of 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always running at its most efficient. This permits our pros to detect little issues before they become serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Kapaun & Brown

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 641-812-2028 or contact us online today for additional information.