As the temp increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning bills controlled you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lake Worth?

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

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to keep a consistent temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more 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 suggestions 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. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Through the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home permit conditioned air to quickly get out and warm air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to increase. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to spot simple issues before they become significant problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re home or elsewhere to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing 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 trading comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Smyth Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 561-533-6066 or contact us online right away for additional info.