As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling expenses low you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Tucson?

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

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

It’s significantly more taxing for your system to keep a constant temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also cause a shortened life cycle for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cooler 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 gaps throughout a home enable conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get in. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to locate little issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or elsewhere to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly cared for air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Ambient Air

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills down this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 520-357-4912 or contact us online today for additional information.