As the heat rises, so does your AC bills. To keep your AC costs controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Milwaukee?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

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

It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at a constant temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a shortened life expectancy for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the larger 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 stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based upon 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence let conditioned air to quickly get out and the heat to get in. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always running at its most efficient. This permits our pros to detect simple issues before they become substantial troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or elsewhere to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly taken care of AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Done Right Air

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 expenses lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 414-207-4034 or contact us online now for more information.