As the temp goes up, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning bills down you might be thinking, 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 AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher 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 is able to do the work for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to achieve the same temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

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

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

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. 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 low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to rise. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always running at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to detect little issues before they become major problems. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re home or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might 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 compromising comfort.

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

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 772-247-2283 or contact us online today for more information.