As the temperature rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling expenses down you could be wondering, 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 inefficient. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC on all the time 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 achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to stay at a constant temp for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

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

In any case, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips 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 states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home enable conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get within. This can cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This allows our pros to locate small issues before they turn into serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or out to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly taken care of 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 may 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 trading comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses lower this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 715-301-0256 or contact us online right away for extra info.