As the temp goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Santa Clarita?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioner going all the time 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 achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s considerably more laborious for your system to keep the same temp throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also result in a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.
In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. 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 out. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home enable conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get within. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to increase. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to find little issues before they result in significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or elsewhere to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Verona HVAC
No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 818-306-3387 or contact us online right away for extra information.