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

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a shortened life span for your AC.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change 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 away. In the summer, it’s recommended to set 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 your house any faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily slip out and the heat to get in. This may lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to increase. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always running at its most efficient. This permits our pros to identify simple issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or gone to optimize your energy savings. 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 taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may 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 compromising comfort.

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

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at (616) 319-1436 or contact us online right away for additional information.