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

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

Keeping your air conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

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

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shorter life expectancy for your AC.

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

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. 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 away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to rise. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our pros to identify small issues before they result in significant problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly cared for air conditioner to live 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 replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Refrigeration Systems Ltd.

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 778-693-2532 or contact us online now for more information.