As the temperature increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your air conditioning costs down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Sacramento?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you return. You can achieve 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 the same temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also cause a reduced life span for your AC unit.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas 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. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also 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 residence any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get in. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to increase. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to spot small issues before they turn into major problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Bishop’s HVAC

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 916-591-6889 or contact us online now for extra information.