As the temp goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning expenses low you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in McKinney and Frisco?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to keep the same temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also cause a reduced life expectancy for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based off of 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 affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get within. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to increase. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our pros to find little issues before they turn into serious dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Bell Mechanical Services

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses down this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 888-863-0560 or contact us online now for additional info.