As the temperature goes up, so does your AC bills. To keep your cooling expenses low you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Albuquerque?

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

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come back. You can achieve 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 achieve the same temp throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also lead to a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips 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. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home allow for conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are properly 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 assures that your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to locate small issues before they result in significant troubles. A clean 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 greatest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your energy savings. 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 foresee a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Tru Air Systems LLC

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 505-226-3525 or contact us online right away for additional info.