As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC expenses down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Boynton Beach?

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

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at the same setting all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also result in a shorter life expectancy for your air conditioner.

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

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your home any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC.
2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home allow for conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get inside. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to detect simple issues before they become major dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to know 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 annually on energy costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with A2Z Air Inc

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 561-270-6228 or contact us online right away for extra information.