As the heat goes up, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning expenses under control you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Zelienople?

It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest 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 much more work for your system to achieve the same setting all day long. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also cause a shorter life span for your AC.

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 keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
  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 remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let conditioned air to quickly slip out and warmer air to get within. This can lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our pros to detect little issues before they result in major dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Knoechel Heating

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 724-425-5852 or contact us online today for more details.