As the heat increases, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning expenses low you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Mount Pleasant?

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

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

It’s a lot more work for your system to stay at the same temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also lead to a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen 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 areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to find little issues before they become serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or away to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly taken care of AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Olde Towne Heating & Air

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 843-485-0967 or contact us online today for additional info.