As the heat increases, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning bills low you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lafayette?

It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioning on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

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

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a reduced life cycle for your AC.

In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric 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 Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned 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 cracks throughout a residence permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get in. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Make sure 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 Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to find little issues before they result in major troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re home or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly maintained AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with AC Sales

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at (337) 234-2345 or contact us online right away for extra information.