As the heat increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your cooling costs down you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Wisconsin Rapids?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

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

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to stay at the same setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also result in a reduced life span for your HVAC system.

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

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing 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 summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to quickly get out and warm air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to increase. 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. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our pros to spot little issues before they result in major problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or away to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly 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 offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 715-301-0256 or contact us online now for additional info.