As the temp goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you could 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 a myth.

Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to stay at a constant setting all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also result in a reduced life cycle for your HVAC system.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based off of 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. Through the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get in. This may lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home cooler and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to identify simple issues before they become serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or away to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly cared for AC 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 could be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

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

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses down this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at (616) 319-1436 or contact us online today for extra info.