As the temperature increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC costs low you might be asking yourself, 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 air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to keep a consistent temperature throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also cause a reduced life cycle for your HVAC system.

In any case, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher 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. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up 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 be mindful that 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 low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to climb. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to identify simple issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or out to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly maintained AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Contra Costa Heating & AC

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 510-343-9841 or contact us online now for additional details.