As the temp goes up, so does your energy bills. To keep your AC costs low you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in West Columbia?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.
It’s significantly more laborious for your system to achieve the same setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shorter life cycle for your AC.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy costs will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills down in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can spend up to 10% less a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the hotter months, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just leads to more expensive utility bills. While these temperatures might seem toasty, there are additional ways to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC unit.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% throughout the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings intended to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all across a house let cooler air to easily slip out and the heat to get inside. This may result in your AC having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple solutions for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always running at its most energy efficient. This allows our professionals to spot small issues before they turn into significant troubles. A clean AC is usually more efficient and might even last longer.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest ways to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively alters the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect an adequately maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently needing us for air conditioning repair or your utility expenses are skyrocketing with no altering in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We supply numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc.
No one wants to see their electricity bill rise during the summer. If you’re wanting more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 803-265-4208 or contact us online now for additional details.