Everything You Need to Know About Air Conditioner Energy Costs

May 28

Being a homeowner involves plenty of responsibilities and one of the most important things you need to do is ensure that your household uses energy efficiently. Knowing where your energy is going and how much you consume can help you optimize your monthly expenses, ensuring that you retain a healthy household budget.

Now that spring is coming to a close and we're entering the hot summer months, everyone’s trusty, ‘ol air conditioner will soon make a comeback. Seeing that it efficiently provides comfort during the hot season, one can easily forget that using an air conditioner is quite expensive.

Many factors can contribute to the sudden increase in energy usage when you start using your air conditioner and one reason is that it may need some maintenance work. For this reason, before summer enters your doorstep, it's best to call a trusty HVAC repair company to ensure that your HVAC system is in tip-top shape so it can provide the comfort you need while keeping energy usage efficient.

Should I Keep My Air Conditioner On All Day?

If you're wondering if it's much cheaper to leave an air conditioner on throughout the day, the short answer is no. Many believe that leaving the AC running can save you a lot of energy.

But if you want to keep your home at a low temperature, it's always best to just turn it on when you need it and keep it off while you're away. While it's off, it still does a great job maintaining a steady temperature in your space.

Air Conditioner Usage and Costs: How to Save Money

In Chicago, the average central air conditioner uses about 3,000 to 5,000 watts while it runs. With that, residential electricity may cost 10.44 cents per kWh on average, so it could cost you about $0.31 to $0.52 an hour. So if you run your AC for about eight hours a day, you may spend about $2.51 to $4.18 per day.

Here are some tips to save your money while keeping yourself cool and comfortable in the sweltering heat of summer:

Install an Efficient AC Unit: One of the best ways to save money is by replacing your old AC unit with a more efficient, energy-saving model. With that, it's best to pay attention to a unit's Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio because the higher its rating, the less energy it needs to keep you comfortable and cool.
Maintain Your AC Unit: Many people forget that your HVAC system also needs some tender love and care. With regular maintenance, you get to keep your AC running efficiently. Because of this, it's best to have a credible HVAC repair company on speed dial to ensure you regularly maintain your AC, reducing energy usage.
Utilize a Programmable Thermostat: The great thing about having an AC unit is that you control how it works, especially when you install a programmable thermostat in your home. With a thermostat, you can manage the temperature in your space and keep it steady, allowing you to manage your AC's energy consumption.

The Bottom Line: Why Do I Do When the Bills Keep Rising?

As mentioned earlier, regular maintenance helps reduce your HVAC's energy consumption. So when you're doing practical steps like turning your AC off or using a programmable thermostat, and you're still getting crazy energy bills every month, it's time to seek assistance from a reliable HVAC repair company because something may be wrong with your AC.

Why Should You Call Us?

If you're looking for a reliable air conditioner repair in Chicago, look no further — Aircor Air Conditioning and Heating is here to help.

We are Chicago's premier HVAC service that specializes in residential and commercial air conditioner installation. Our goal is to ensure that you and your loved ones remain comfortable all year round.

Give us a call and learn more about our services today!