As the temp goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC bills low you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Morgantown?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioning running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s a lot more taxing for your system to achieve the same setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a shorter life expectancy for your HVAC system.

No matter what, 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 keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. During the summer, it’s advised 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 lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC 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 drawn during the day helps keep cooler 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 gaps throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily get out and warm air to get in. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to rise. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to spot simple issues before they result in major troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally 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 intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly cared for AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Mountain Air

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 304-413-1287 or contact us online now for extra info.