As the temperature goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling expenses under control you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Cedar Rapids?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioning going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to keep a consistent temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also cause a reduced life cycle for your AC unit.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In 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 also important to avoid 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 quicker, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence permit conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get in. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our experts to spot simple issues before they become substantial troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or elsewhere to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Ilten's

No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 319-208-2351 or contact us online right away for more information.