As the heat increases, so does your energy costs. To keep your AC costs down you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Buellton?

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

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

It’s a lot more work for your system to achieve the same setting throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shorter life cycle for your AC unit.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? 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 states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home permit conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get within. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to rise. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our experts to locate little issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or away to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may 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.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 805-242-9638 or contact us online today for extra information.