As the temp increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling expenses controlled you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Des Moines?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it back down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s much more work for your system to stay at the same temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also lead to a shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.

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

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 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 remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home let conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get in. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to detect small issues before they result in serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising 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 trading comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 515-278-2900 or contact us online today for more details.