As the heat rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your AC expenses low you might be wondering, 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 wasteful. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s much more work for your system to stay at a constant temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also lead to a shortened life cycle for your AC.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy 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 Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house 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 consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home enable conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to increase. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pros to find simple issues before they become serious troubles. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or away to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might 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 negotiating comfort.

Improve 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 bills low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 303-452-4146 or contact us online right away for more information.