As the temp increases, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC expenses low you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Myrtle Beach?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. 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 setting 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 might also cause a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.

In any case, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain 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 Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. In the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get in. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always running at its most efficient. This permits our experts to detect little issues before they become serious problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly cared for AC unit to run 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 could be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Polar Air & Mechanical

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs low this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 843-253-4874 or contact us online now for additional details.