As the temp increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses under control you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Wilmington?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to keep the same temperature throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also cause a shorter life span for your air conditioner.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. During the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your home any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of 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 lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cooler and your utility bills to increase. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to identify little issues before they turn into significant troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install 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 everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Ambience HVAC, Inc.

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 302-239-HVAC (4822) or contact us online right away for additional details.