As the temperature increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Bartlesville?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to achieve a constant temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also lead to a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any faster, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house let conditioned air to quickly get out and warm air to get in. This can lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to locate little issues before they result in major problems. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or elsewhere to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Farris Heating & Air

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills low this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 918-333-0376 or contact us online now for additional information.