As the temp goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs down 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 air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting 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 will do the job for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to keep the same temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

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

In any case, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home permit conditioned air to easily slip out and the heat to get inside. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to rise. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to identify simple issues before they result in major problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly cared for AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Precision Mechanical

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 605-206-3766 or contact us online today for more info.