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

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

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to achieve a constant setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also result in a shortened life span for your AC unit.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get within. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to locate little issues before they turn into serious troubles. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re home or gone to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

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

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 602-971-0567 or contact us online now for additional details.