As the temp rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling bills controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Long Island?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent setting all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also cause a reduced life span for your HVAC system.

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

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any sooner, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house let conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get within. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cooler and your AC bills to rise. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to locate small issues before they become major troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or away to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure 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 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 compromising comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Airmax Long Island

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 low this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 631-737-5566 or contact us online right away for extra information.