As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your cooling bills under control you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Michigan City?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to achieve the same temp throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also result in a reduced life span for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas 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 affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. During the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to constantly 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 energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home allow for conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to increase. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to identify little issues before they become significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
5. Upgrade to 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 daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Paniccia Heating & Cooling

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs low this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 219-872-2198 or contact us online right away for extra details.