As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your cooling costs controlled you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Spokane?

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 conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to achieve the same temp 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 energy bills, it may also cause a reduced life cycle for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your home’s 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 warm weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. During the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and warm air to get in. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Check that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to identify little issues before they become major dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly cared for air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Bigfoot Mechanical

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 509-392-8770 or contact us online now for more information.