As the heat rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Bend?

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

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to achieve the same temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

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

In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep 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 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence enable conditioned air to quickly escape and the heat to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to find little issues before they become significant problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or elsewhere to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly cared for AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Tri County Climate Control LLC

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 541-238-2797 or contact us online right away for more information.