As the temp goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling bills low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Crystal and Twin Cities?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.
Keeping your AC going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s significantly more taxing for your system to stay at the same setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.
In any case, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. During the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get within. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to skyrocket. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This lets our experts to detect simple issues before they result in substantial troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. 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 GV Heating & Air
No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 763-535-2000 or contact us online now for additional details.
