As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Manassas?

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

Keeping your air conditioning running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you get back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent setting all day long. It can also lead to 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 may also result in a shorter life expectancy for your AC.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your home’s 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 hot weather? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Through the summer, it’s advised to position 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 average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your AC bills to rise. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our experts to locate simple issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure 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 sense when you’re at your house or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

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

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 703-260-1148 or contact us online now for more information.