As the heat rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your cooling bills down you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Greater Richmond?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve the same temperature for many hours. 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 could also lead to a shorter life span for your AC.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit 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 treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house enable conditioned air to quickly slip out and the heat to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cooler and your AC bills to rise. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to locate simple issues before they result in major troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 804-302-6657 or contact us online right away for additional info.