As the temp rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC bills low you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Port St. Lucie?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it back down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temp throughout the day. 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 energy bills, it can also lead to a reduced life cycle for your HVAC system.

Regardless, 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 keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to rise. 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.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to spot small issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re home or out to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Custom Air Systems Inc

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 772-247-2283 or contact us online now for additional info.