As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC costs down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Tomball?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to keep a constant setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a shorter life expectancy for your AC.

No matter what, the bigger 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 energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips 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% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get in. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always running at its most efficient. This permits our experts to locate small issues before they result in serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re home or gone to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Premium Air Services LLC

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 713-364-9957 or contact us online right away for additional information.