As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your AC expenses controlled you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lexington?

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 on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. 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 keep a constant setting all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also lead to a shortened life cycle for your AC.

In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy 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 Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and the heat to get in. This can result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility bills to rise. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to spot little issues before they become major problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or elsewhere to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with James Heating & A/C, Inc

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 336-853-6070 or contact us online right away for extra info.