As the temp goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses low you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Norco and surrounding parishes?

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

Keeping your air conditioning going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to keep the same setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also result in a reduced life cycle for your air conditioner.

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

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any quicker, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to spot little issues before they become serious dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or out to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained AC unit to run 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 could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Mayeuxs AC & Heating

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at (985) 764-2426 or contact us online right away for more information.