As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your cooling expenses under control you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Port St. Lucie?

It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s far more work for your system to stay at the same temp for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also lead to a shorter life span for your AC.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. During the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home let conditioned air to quickly slip out and the heat to get in. This can lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to detect simple issues before they become serious problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or out to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly cared for 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 might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

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

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 772-247-2283 or contact us online now for additional info.