As the heat rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling bills under control you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Phoenix?

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

Keeping your AC on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to stay at the same temp throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also cause a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. During the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower 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 could appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home permit conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get in. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to spot simple issues before they become substantial problems. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or elsewhere to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly taken care of AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 602-789-3315 or contact us online right away for more info.