As the temperature rises, so does your energy costs. To keep your cooling bills down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Central Point?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

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

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

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

In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. During the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get in. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your AC bills to increase. Check that any cracks, 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 ensures your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to locate small issues before they turn into substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or elsewhere to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly cared for air conditioner to live 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 might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Titan Heating & Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 541-286-6617 or contact us online today for extra information.