As the temp goes up, so does your AC expenses. 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 Michigan City?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your AC going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temperature throughout the day. It can also result in 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 may also cause a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase 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 turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. During the summer, it’s advised to set 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 colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence let conditioned air to rapidly get out and warm air to get in. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to detect little issues before they turn into significant dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Paniccia Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 219-872-2198 or contact us online now for additional details.