As the temp rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your AC bills down you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Northglenn?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to achieve a consistent setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also lead to a shortened life span for your HVAC system.

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

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home enable conditioned air to quickly escape and the heat to get within. This can result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy 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. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to spot little issues before they become serious problems. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness 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 gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

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

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 303-452-4146 or contact us online right away for extra details.