As the heat rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Pella?

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

Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s a lot more taxing for your system to achieve the same temp all day long. It can also lead to 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 electricity bills, it can also cause a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to quickly get out and warmer air to get in. This can lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to rise. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our pros to detect simple issues before they result in significant problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or elsewhere to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating

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 expenses down this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 641-628-3621 or contact us online today for extra info.