As the temp rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs under control you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Phoenix?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to keep a constant setting all day long. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

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

In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’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? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home permit conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to identify small issues before they turn into serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re home or elsewhere to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Integrity AC & Heating LLC

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 602-971-0567 or contact us online right away for more details.