As the heat rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Mankato area?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to stay at the same setting for many hours. It can also result in 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 energy bills, it could also cause a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get in. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your AC bills to climb. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pros to find simple issues before they turn into serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly taken care of air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Northern Comfort Inc

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 507-387-6596 or contact us online right away for additional info.