As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your AC costs low you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Omaha?

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

Keeping your AC on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to 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 utility bills, it could also lead to a reduced life span for your AC unit.

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

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any quicker, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get in. This may cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to rise. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably 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 air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to locate small issues before they turn into significant troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or elsewhere to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with The Frazier Company

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 402-628-0206 or contact us online now for extra info.