As the heat rises, so does your AC costs. To keep your cooling expenses under control you may 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 AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s much more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also lead to a shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.

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

Six Ways 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 turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your home any faster, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get within. This can cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to identify little issues before they turn into significant dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or elsewhere to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

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

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 602-789-3315 or contact us online now for more details.