As the heat increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning costs down you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Jefferson City?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to achieve the same temperature all day long. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also result in a reduced life cycle for your HVAC system.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool 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 around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our experts to identify simple issues before they become major problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re home or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly cared for AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Stieferman Heating Company Inc

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills down this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 573-635-3547 or contact us online now for extra details.