As the temp rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC bills low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Tomball?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioner running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a shortened life cycle for your air conditioner.
In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning costs will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills down in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Temperature. The DOE says that you can save up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. In the summer months, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also 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 home any faster, it just leads to higher electric bills. While these temperatures might feel toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% during the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air in. There are also some window coverings intended to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence enable conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get in. This can result in your air conditioner being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your energy bills to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple mends for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always functioning at its most energy efficient. This permits our pro to find little issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept AC is typically more efficient and may even last longer.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest approaches to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on energy bills.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly taken care of air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We carry a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Premium Air Services LLC
No one likes to see their energy bill rise during the summer season. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses down this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 713-364-9957 or contact us online today for more details.