As the heat goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC expenses low you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in West Valley City?

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

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also result in a shorter life span for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house allow for conditioned air to rapidly get out and warm air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always running at its most efficient. This lets our experts to locate little issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may 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 automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or away to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly taken care of AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Select Comfort Systems

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 801-305-4777 or contact us online today for extra details.