As the temperature goes up, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling costs low you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lake Worth?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to keep a constant temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shortened life span for your air conditioner.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based off of 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. In the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while 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 average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising 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 head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, 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 extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home enable conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to locate little issues before they become serious dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or out to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC to last 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 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 trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Smyth Air Conditioning

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 561-533-6066 or contact us online right away for additional details.