As the temperature increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your cooling expenses under control you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Central Point?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.
Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.
It’s significantly more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also cause a shortened life expectancy for your AC.
No matter what, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills down in the summer? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE affirms that you can save up to 10% per 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 set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just results in higher energy expenses. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of approaches to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower 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 head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air indoors. There are also some window solutions made to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps all around a home let cooler air to easily get out and warm air to get in. This may cause your air conditioner being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility costs to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Regular Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always running at its most energy efficient. This permits our pro to find small issues before they result in significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even run for a greater period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or out to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect an adequately taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility costs are skyrocketing with no shifts in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Titan Heating & Air Conditioning
No one wants to see their utility bill increase during the warmer months. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 541-286-6617 or contact us online today for extra details.