As the temperature rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling bills controlled you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Zelienople?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your AC going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temp throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also result in a shortened life span for your AC unit.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen AC 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 head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep chilled 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 gaps throughout a house enable conditioned air to quickly slip out and warmer air to get inside. This may lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our experts to identify small issues before they become serious problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or out to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Knoechel Heating

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 724-425-5852 or contact us online now for extra information.