As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling bills down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lansing?

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 conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you get back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at the same temperature throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any sooner, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get in. This could cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to rise. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to spot simple issues before they result in serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or elsewhere to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Everest Heating & Cooling

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses down this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 913-845-9463 or contact us online today for additional information.