As the temp rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling costs under control you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Manassas?

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

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to keep a constant temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also cause a shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. In the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence let conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get within. This can cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to climb. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to detect small issues before they become significant problems. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or away to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Air-Right Energy Design

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 703-260-1148 or contact us online now for additional info.