As the temp increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your cooling bills low you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Williamsport?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioning going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.
It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a shortened life span for your HVAC system.
No matter what, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC bills will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills lower in the hot weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. During the summer months, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally 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 your residence any sooner, it just leads to more expensive energy expenses. While these temperatures could feel high, there are additional approaches to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% during the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned air indoors. There are also some window treatments intended to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps all across a home let conditioned air to quickly get out and the heat to get within. This can lead to your AC having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple mends for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its most energy efficient. This permits our experts to locate small issues before they result in serious problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even run for a greater period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest ways to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adapts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or elsewhere to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a sufficiently cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often contacting us for air conditioning repair or your AC costs are rising with no shifts in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Lycoming Heating Company
No one wants to see their utility bill rise during the warmer months. If you’re wanting more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 570-326-4450 or contact us online right away for additional details.