As the heat increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your cooling expenses controlled you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Albuquerque?

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

Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to stay at the same temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also cause a shorter life cycle for your air conditioner.

In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep 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 Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. During the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house allow for conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC bills to rise. Check 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. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always running at its most efficient. This permits our pros to locate small issues before they become serious problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re home or away to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to live 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 may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with I-Deal HVAC

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 505-445-1250 or contact us online now for additional details.