As the temp goes up, so does your AC costs. To keep your cooling costs controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Haines City?

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

Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and lowering it when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s much more work for your system to stay at a constant temperature all day long. It can also result in 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 electricity bills, it can also cause a reduced life expectancy for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states 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 out. Through the summer, it’s advised 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 lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home allow for conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility bills to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to locate simple issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co.

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 863-216-2923 or contact us online right away for additional details.