As the heat increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Rapid City?
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 air conditioner 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 everything for you.
It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at the same temp for many hours. 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 utility bills, it might also result in a reduced life expectancy for your AC.
In any case, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence let conditioned air to rapidly get out and warm air to get within. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This permits our experts to locate little issues before they result in substantial troubles. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing 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 trading comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Street Heating and Cooling
No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 605-206-3915 or contact us online now for additional details.