As the temperature rises, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning costs low you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Wausau?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting 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 job for you.

It’s far more work for your system to stay at the same temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also lead to a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.

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

Six Ways to Increase 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 increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep 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 cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence let conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get within. This can cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cool and your AC bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to spot simple issues before they turn into serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Gilray Heating and Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 715-301-0727 or contact us online today for additional info.