As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling bills under control you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Rapid City?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

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

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to stay at a constant temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a reduced life cycle for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of 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 warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep chilled 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 home permit conditioned air to easily get out and warm air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This permits our pros to spot little issues before they become serious problems. A well-kept 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 easiest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Precision Mechanical

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 605-206-3766 or contact us online right away for additional info.