As the temperature increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning expenses down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Saint Louis?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher 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 will do the job for you.

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to keep a constant temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shortened life span for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust 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 when you’re out of the house. 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 equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get in. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our pros to detect small issues before they turn into major problems. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states 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 unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills lower this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 314-262-4541 or contact us online right away for extra info.