As the heat goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC costs low you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Des Moines?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC 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 advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it 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 far more laborious for your system to keep a consistent temp throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also result in a reduced life cycle for your air conditioner.
No matter what, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. In the summer, it’s advised to keep 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 average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using 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 leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility bills to rise. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to identify little issues before they result in significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling
No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 515-207-6569 or contact us online right away for extra information.