As the heat rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling expenses controlled you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Los Angeles?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to keep the same temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also cause a shorter life span for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric 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 Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak 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 away. Through the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home allow for conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get within. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to increase. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to identify little issues before they become significant dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or out to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. 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 utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with AZ Air Conditioning and Heating

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 800-296-5088 or contact us online now for extra details.