As the temp rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC expenses low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Manassas?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioner running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temp all day long. It can also lead to 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 could also result in a reduced life span for your air conditioner.

In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas 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 affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using 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 rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home let conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get in. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to skyrocket. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to spot little issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or away to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could 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 negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Woody's Sudden Service

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses down this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 703-278-2036 or contact us online today for more information.