As the heat goes up, so does your AC costs. To keep your cooling bills down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in New Castle?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to achieve a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also lead to a shortened life expectancy for your HVAC system.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. During the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your AC bills to climb. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to find little issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or elsewhere to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly cared for air conditioner to run 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 new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Central Heating & Plumbing

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 724-401-1843 or contact us online right away for extra information.