As the temp rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling bills under control you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Mankato area?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.
It’s considerably more taxing for your system to keep a consistent setting all day long. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also cause a shortened life span for your AC.
In any case, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always running at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to locate small issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Northern Comfort Inc
No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 507-387-6596 or contact us online right away for extra info.