As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills controlled you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Pocatello?

It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to keep a consistent setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay 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. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any faster, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your AC bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to find small issues before they become significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re home or elsewhere to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Vogts Heating & Air

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 208-621-0129 or contact us online today for extra details.