As the heat rises, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in The Bay Area?

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

Keeping your air conditioning running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s much more work for your system to keep a constant temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also lead to a shorter life expectancy for your AC unit.

Regardless, 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 energy bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. 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 additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warmer air to get in. This could cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your utility bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify little issues before they become substantial troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or elsewhere to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Contra Costa Heating & AC

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 510-343-9841 or contact us online right away for additional info.