As the heat rises, so does your energy 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 Northglenn?

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 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 turning it back down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at the same temp throughout the day. It can also lead to 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 lead to a shorter life span for your AC.

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

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your AC bills to rise. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to detect little issues before they turn into major troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 303-452-4146 or contact us online right away for additional details.