As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Temple/Belton ?

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

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent setting all day long. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also cause a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and warm air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility 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 around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to detect little issues before they result in serious problems. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says 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 maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Bell Air Conditioning Inc

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 254-307-9572 or contact us online today for additional details.