As the heat rises, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning expenses controlled you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Cottonwood & Prescott?

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

Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to achieve a constant temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a shorter life cycle for your AC.

In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy 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 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. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home let conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get within. This can lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to locate simple issues before they turn into significant dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest 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 along with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Connolly Electric & Mechanical

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 928-251-4327 or contact us online today for more information.