As the temperature goes up, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Mechanicsburg?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to keep a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also cause a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.

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

Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get inside. This can result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to rise. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This permits our pros to spot simple issues before they become substantial troubles. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may 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 bargaining comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with H & H Service Company

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 717-220-4502 or contact us online today for more info.