As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling bills down you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Wausau?

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

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

It’s much more laborious for your system to achieve a constant temperature throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also lead to a shorter life span for your AC.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based upon 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 states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy 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 leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get within. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our pros to locate simple issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or gone to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might 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 negotiating comfort.

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

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 715-301-0727 or contact us online now for additional details.