As the heat goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills low you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Cedar Rapids?

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

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s far more work for your system to achieve the same temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also cause a shorter life span for your AC.

In any case, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions 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 affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep 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 lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on 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 rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home allow for conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get inside. This may lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify simple issues before they become significant dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or out to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Ilten's

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 319-208-2351 or contact us online today for additional information.