As the temp increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC bills down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Bend?

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

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to keep the same temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a shortened life span for your AC.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric 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 Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. During the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are many methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your utility bills to increase. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to detect little issues before they become serious problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or away to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly taken care of air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Tri County Climate Control LLC

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 541-238-2797 or contact us online today for additional details.