As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your AC bills under control you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Georgetown?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to achieve the same temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shorter life expectancy for your air conditioner.

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

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust 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 while you’re away. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to note 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 during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to find simple issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install 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 day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly cared for air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Miller Climate Control LLC

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills down this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 512-937-2001 or contact us online today for extra information.