As the temperature goes up, so does your AC bills. To keep your air conditioning expenses low you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Hasbrouck Heights?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to keep a consistent temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also result in a shorter life span for your AC unit.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to 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 professionals to locate simple issues before they turn into substantial dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or out to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with ACE Solutions

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 201-582-2806 or contact us online now for more details.