As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your air conditioning costs under control 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 on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.
It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at the same setting for many hours. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also cause a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly get out and warm air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to locate little issues before they turn into serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or out to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Select Comfort Systems
No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 801-305-4777 or contact us online today for additional details.