As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your AC costs down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Shamokin and Sunbury?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to keep a constant setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also result in a shortened life cycle for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips 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. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get within. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cooler and your AC bills to rise. Check that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to locate little issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or out to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc.

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 570-648-0748 or contact us online now for more details.