As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Rapid City?

It’s a widespread 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 recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s much more work for your system to stay at the same setting throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shortened life cycle for your AC.

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

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could 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 a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. 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 conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house allow for conditioned air to quickly slip out and the heat to get in. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cool and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our experts to identify small issues before they result in substantial problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure 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 notice when you’re in your home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may 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 negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Precision Mechanical

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 605-206-3766 or contact us online now for additional info.