As the heat rises, so does your AC bills. To keep your air conditioning bills low you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Northridge?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at a constant temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also cause a reduced life expectancy for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on 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 spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get within. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to rise. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to find little issues before they become serious dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re home or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often 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 supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at (818) 727-9993 or contact us online today for more info.