As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your AC costs under control you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Phoenix?

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

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you return. You can do 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 stay at a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also lead to a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips 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. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any faster, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower energy 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 head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to rapidly get out and warm air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to find little issues before they become significant troubles. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency 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 at your house or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 602-789-3315 or contact us online now for additional information.