As the temperature goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning bills down you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Naples?
It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioner running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s a lot more taxing for your system to achieve a consistent temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also lead to a shortened life span for your AC.
In any case, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills down in the hot weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can spend up to 10% less yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just leads to more expensive electric costs. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of approaches to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% throughout the warmer months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air indoors. There are also some window treatments intended to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps all around a home permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get within. This can cause your AC needing to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy costs to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy solutions for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always functioning at its best. This permits our professionals to detect simple issues before they result in substantial troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even live for a greater period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best approaches to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or away to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC bills.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure an adequately taken care of air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently needing us for air conditioning repair or your AC expenses are skyrocketing with no altering in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Speedy Air Conditioning
No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill increase during the warmer months. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 239-244-3439 or contact us online right away for additional info.