As the heat goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC bills down you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Muskogee?

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

Keeping your air conditioning going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to keep a consistent temperature throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

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

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

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. 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 cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home let conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to identify little issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install 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 daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or away to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly maintained AC to last 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 might be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc.

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 918-682-8238 or contact us online right away for extra information.