As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling expenses low you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Chelan and Wenatchee?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s a lot more work for your system to keep a constant temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also lead to a reduced life span for your HVAC system.
No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC costs will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms 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 months, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just causes more expensive electric expenses. While these temperatures could feel toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% throughout the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air in. There are also some window treatments intended to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all around a house let conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get inside. This could cause your AC being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your energy costs to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple mends for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pro to find simple issues before they turn into substantial dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even last longer.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling bills.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently needing us for air conditioning repair or your utility expenses are increasing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Lakeside Heating & Air
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy usage and costs low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 509-284-4265 or contact us online today for additional info.