As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling expenses under control you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Delray Beach?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s far more work for your system to stay at a constant setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also lead to a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.

In any case, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any quicker, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs 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 head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house allow for conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get inside. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pros to identify simple issues before they turn into serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly maintained AC unit to last 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 might 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 negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Kilbourne Heating & AC

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses down this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 561-287-7071 or contact us online now for extra details.