As the temperature rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning bills low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Hudsonville?

It’s a widespread 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 constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to achieve a constant setting for many hours. 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 can also result in a shorter life expectancy for your AC unit.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater 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 ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence let conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to identify small issues before they turn into serious problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or out to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly maintained AC 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 could be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at (616) 319-1436 or contact us online right away for more information.