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

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioner running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to stay at the same temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shortened life expectancy for your AC.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any sooner, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get in. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your utility bills to rise. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our experts to detect little issues before they turn into substantial problems. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure 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 sense when you’re at home or out to enhance 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 Conditioner. You can expect a properly taken care of air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Age Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs low this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 208-603-2210 or contact us online now for extra information.