As the temp increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling costs down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Safford?

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

Keeping your air conditioning going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to keep a consistent temperature all day long. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also cause a reduced life span for your AC.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get in. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify small issues before they result in substantial problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or gone to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly cared for air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with B&D Air Conditioning

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 928-432-6018 or contact us online right away for additional information.