As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling expenses controlled you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Auburn?

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

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to achieve a consistent setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a reduced life cycle for your AC unit.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home let conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get in. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to climb. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to find little issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly maintained AC unit to last 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 may be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Forster Heating

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 530-885-8081 or contact us online right away for more information.