As the temperature increases, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Oxford?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioning going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s much more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent setting throughout the day. It can also cause 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 can also cause a shorter life expectancy for your AC.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based upon 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% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your home any quicker, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC unit.
  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 lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get in. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This allows our pros to identify little issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re home or away to maximize your 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 figure a properly cared for AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 662-281-1231 or contact us online right away for additional information.