As the temp goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling bills controlled you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Libertyville?

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 going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to keep a consistent setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric 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. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. Through the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence permit conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get in. This could cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your AC bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our pros to detect simple issues before they turn into major problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or out to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with TopTec

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 847-362-0262 or contact us online today for more details.