As the temp rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your air conditioning bills low you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Los Angeles?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.
It’s much more taxing for your system to achieve the same temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also cause a reduced life span for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy bills will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills down in the summer season? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can spend up to 10% less a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. In the warmer months, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could feel high, there are additional ways to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% during the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cool air in. There are also some window solutions meant to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence enable conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get in. This could result in your AC unit having to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pro to identify simple issues before they become serious troubles. A maintained AC unit is generally more efficient and can even live longer.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best approaches to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adapts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure an adequately cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often needing us for air conditioning repair or your utility expenses are increasing with no altering in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with AZ Air Conditioning and Heating
No one wants to see their electricity bill increase during the warmer months. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses lower this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 800-296-5088 or contact us online now for more information.