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

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 the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s a lot more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shortened life expectancy for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the bigger 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 tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any faster, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using 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 exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to locate little issues before they turn into serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly cared for air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We carry 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 AW Heating & Air Conditioning

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 402-438-7992 or contact us online today for more info.