As the temp rises, so does your energy costs. To keep your AC costs down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Columbus?

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 conditioning running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also lead to a reduced life cycle for your AC.

Regardless, the bigger 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 hot weather? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods 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 turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time 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 average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get in. This may lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to spot small issues before they turn into major problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or elsewhere to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly 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 supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Classic Air

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 614-210-3041 or contact us online right away for more info.