As the temperature goes up, so does your AC bills. To keep your AC costs controlled 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 a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC going 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 down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s much more work for your system to stay at a constant setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also result in a shortened life expectancy for your AC unit.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher 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 tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. In the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to rise. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pros to spot small issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest 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 together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly cared for AC unit to run 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 could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with AC Sales

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at (337) 234-2345 or contact us online today for more info.