As the temp rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling bills controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lafayette?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to achieve a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

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

In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler 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 permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cool and your AC bills to increase. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly 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 equipment is always running at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to find simple issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or out 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 Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to run 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 an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with AC Sales

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at (337) 234-2345 or contact us online today for additional info.