As the heat rises, so does your energy costs. To keep your AC costs low you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Manassas?

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

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s far more work for your system to keep the same temperature all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also lead to a shorter life span for your AC unit.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions 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. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let conditioned air to quickly slip out and warmer air to get within. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to increase. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our experts to find little issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest 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 home or gone to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Air-Right Energy Design

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 703-260-1148 or contact us online today for more information.