As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling bills low you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Albuquerque?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioning on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s a lot more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temperature throughout the day. It can also cause 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 can also result in a reduced life cycle for your AC unit.
No matter what, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills lower in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can save up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. During the hotter months, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just leads to higher utility expenses. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let cooler air to quickly get out and warm air to get in. This can cause your AC having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility costs to climb. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always running at its most efficient. This permits our experts to identify simple issues before they turn into serious problems. A maintained AC unit is usually more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically alters the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling bills.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect an adequately maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with I-Deal HVAC
No one enjoys seeing their utility bill increase during the summer. If you’re seeking more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 505-445-1250 or contact us online now for extra information.