As the temperature rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling bills down you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Chelan and Wenatchee?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you get 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 achieve the same temp for many hours. It can also result in 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 can also cause a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify 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. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any sooner, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to quickly slip out and warmer air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cooler and your AC bills to rise. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to spot little issues before they result in substantial problems. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or gone to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing 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 bargaining comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Lakeside Heating & Air

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses down this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 509-284-4265 or contact us online now for extra info.