Is It Better To Keep The AC On All Day In The Summer?
As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling costs low you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lodi?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at the same setting throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shorter life span for your AC.
Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches To Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. 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 away. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily slip out and the heat to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cool and your energy bills to climb. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to find little issues before they result in serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re home or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency With Tokay
No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses down this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at (209) 257-3156 or contact us online right away for more information.
