As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Albuquerque?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to achieve a consistent temp for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also lead to a shortened life expectancy for your AC.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions 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. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep 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 normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs 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. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get within. This could result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are suitably 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 ensures your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to detect little issues before they result in serious troubles. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re home or elsewhere to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly taken care of AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with I-Deal HVAC

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses down this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 505-445-1250 or contact us online today for extra details.