As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your AC bills low you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Ames?

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

Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to achieve the same temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

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

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 utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence permit conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warm air to get inside. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to find simple issues before they turn into substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best 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 with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or away to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Haselhoff Air Solutions

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 515-450-8739 or contact us online today for extra details.