As the temperature rises, so does your energy costs. To keep your AC bills down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Tucson and Phoenix?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s much more work for your system to stay at the same temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.
In any case, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states 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. In the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to locate simple issues before they become serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly cared for AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Desert Husky HVAC/R Services
No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses down this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 520-416-5415 or contact us online today for extra information.