As the heat goes up, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling bills controlled you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Odessa?

It’s a common 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 conditioner on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest 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 will do the job for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to achieve the same temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also cause a shorter life cycle for your air conditioner.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric 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 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house permit conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get within. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to spot small issues before they become significant troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 432-237-0168 or contact us online today for more info.