As the temp goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your cooling bills under control you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Wisconsin Rapids?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your air conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s considerably more work for your system to keep a constant temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.
No matter what, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy costs will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills lower in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. During the warmer months, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just causes more expensive utility costs. While these temperatures might seem high, there are a number of ways to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air in. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence permit conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get in. This can lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility expenses to increase. 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.
- Schedule Routine Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This allows our pro to spot small issues before they result in major dilemmas. A well-kept AC unit is generally more efficient and could even live for a greater period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best approaches to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively changes the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC bills.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC expenses are increasing with no shifts in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We supply a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc
No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill increase during the warm months. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 715-301-0256 or contact us online now for extra information.