As the temp increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning costs low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Odessa?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to stay at a constant temp throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of stress 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 reduced life span for your AC.

In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. In 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 additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioning.
2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get inside. This can result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to rise. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to spot simple issues before they become major dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or away to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly taken care of AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 432-237-0168 or contact us online today for more info.