As the temp goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your cooling bills down you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Mankato area?
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 air conditioning running constantly 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 get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s much more laborious for your system to achieve a constant setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also lead to a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.
No matter what, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning bills 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®.
6 Ways to Increase 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 at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just leads to higher energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air indoors. There are also some window treatments made to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all across a house let cool air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get in. This can lead to your AC unit being required to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always running at its best. This allows our professionals to spot simple issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A clean AC unit is typically more efficient and may even last longer.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest ways to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively alters the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a sufficiently cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC expenses are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We offer a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Northern Comfort Inc
No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the summer season. If you’re wanting more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 507-387-6596 or contact us online now for more information.