As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling costs low you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Muskogee?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher 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 will do everything for you.

It’s a lot more taxing for your system to achieve a constant temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get inside. This can cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to identify small issues before they result in substantial troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest 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 notice when you’re at home or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc.

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 918-682-8238 or contact us online right away for extra details.