As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling costs under control you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in West Columbia?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s far more work for your system to stay at the same setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

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

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

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states 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. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to rise. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to locate little issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or away to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might 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 trading comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Tri City Fuel & Heating

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs low this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 803-265-4208 or contact us online now for extra details.