As the heat increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning costs down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lancaster?

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

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

It’s much more laborious for your system to achieve a consistent temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also result in a shorter life span for your air conditioner.

In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Through the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any quicker, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your energy bills to rise. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to find simple issues before they result in major troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re home or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Fairfield Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 740-331-4331 or contact us online right away for additional information.