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Should I Turn the A/C Off When I Leave The House?

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There are several things to keep in mind when deciding whether to turn off your air conditioning when you leave your house. A good rule of thumb is, if you are going to be gone for a short time, it is best to leave it on, and if you are going to be gone a long time, it is best to turn it off.

What a long or short time is, can be subjective. If you are gone a whole day and turn your air conditioning off, it will make your unit work harder to cool the house down again. You may save a little on electricity, but lose a little on wear and tear. Being gone a whole week would be different, but even then you could set it at a very high level so it will not run much.

It is a good idea to raise the thermostat while you are not in the house if you are not going to turn it off. Air conditioners also remove humidity, and that could be a reason to leave it on. Generally, about 15 degrees less than the outside temperature is a good setting.  If it is 90 degrees outside, a setting of 75 should keep you comfortable.  If you are going to be gone a few days, you could set your thermostat at 90, or just turn it off until you return.

The professional staff at One Stop Heating & Air are always happy to answer your questions about air conditioning.

Importance of maintenance

An even more important question is how much maintenance your unit needs. Air conditioners are built to last a long time, and they will if they are maintained properly.

We have a maintenance plan that calls for service twice per year, as well as a maintenance plan for whenever you need it.  It is a good idea to have your unit inspected and repaired as needed twice a year. One Stop Heating & AIr offers plans to meet your needs, and we will come out and inspect a unit that is struggling to help get it to running better.

You may save some money by monitoring the temperature, and adjusting depending on whether you are there or not. You will save even more by keeping your system running at its best.

Looking for efficiency

If you have had your unit for a couple of decades, it may be time to replace it even if it is working. A more energy efficient system will operate better than one built 20-30 years ago. The latest technology gives you lower operating costs, and more control over the details of cooling your home. There are programmable units that will adjust to the temperature outside, and you won’t have to worry about turning them off anymore. .

Another aspect of efficiency is to have a unit that is the right size for the area you are trying to cool.  Air Conditioning units are built to cool a certain amount of space. Having one that fits that model will be more efficient, will work better and will last longer. A unit that is too small will have to work a lot harder, and will wear out sooner. A unit that is too big will also have issues.

Programmable thermostat

Many new systems have a programmable thermostat built in, but you can add one to an older system without a lot of difficulty. You can connect this to your smartphone, and always have the controls within easy reach.  Once you have it set the way you want, you may not need to touch it again, but the connection to a smartphone can be convenient.

With a programmable thermostat, you can set it to keep the temperature within 15 degrees of outside temperatures. You may also set it to adjust to when you come home, go to bed at night, or if you know ahead of time you will be gone for a few days. This is more energy efficient than trying to remember to change the thermostat manually.

Going ductless

Another option in the search for efficiency is a ductless system, where each room has its own unit. This can be more efficient because it can be adjusted for each space you want to cool. A bedroom not in use during the day, could be set higher than your living room, which is occupied all day. You may also control these units remotely with your phone, or program them to do what you need at specific times.

These units need professional installation as well as central units. Correct installation is part of the overall picture of having an energy-efficient air conditioning system that won’t break the bank.

Give us a call

Call One Stop Heating & Air for all your heating and air conditioning needs.  We also offer emergency services for when the unexpected happens. Keeping all your air conditioning equipment safe and efficient is our priority.

How to Save Energy During an Arizona Summer

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As the summer months draw ever closer, warm temperatures begin to make their presence known. Residents in Arizona know that the heat can be hard to beat, especially from June to August when high temperatures can exceed 105F with regularity! While we wouldn’t trade the sunshine and warm weather for the world, there are a few things that homeowners can do to prep their house for the summer.

Let’s take a moment to outline a bunch of fun ways that you can stay cool, beat the heat, and save on your utility bills along the way.

How to Add Shade to Your Building

While it is important to work on the interior of your home to prevent heat loss and cooling leaks, you can make your life easier by adding shade to the exterior of your building. There are plenty of great ways that we can diffuse sunlight and offset heat exposure by adding decorations, natural elements, and even a few neat decor items to our property.

  • Install Shade Trees – Start smart by installing shade trees in the areas surrounding your property. Phoenix does great with trees like the Palo Verde and the Velvet Mesquite. These trees look great, grow over 30 feet tall, and can live for 100+ years. Pay attention to potential allergens before selecting a tree to prevent future issues down the line.
  • Buy Shade Screens – Did you know that you could install shade screens on your window to cut down on energy expenses? It’s true! Shade screens are applied directly to your current windows where they act as diffusers, stripping away up to 25% of cooling expenses.
  • Add a Microclimate – Consider planting a cool microclimate around your property. Landscaping can have a huge impact on the temperature of your building, so consider adding desert-adapted trees as well as plants near windows and walls to lend their support.
  • Install Porch Awnings – Awnings over your porch and windows can go a long way toward keeping the heat away from your home. Awnings look great, add actionable coverage, and will leave you feeling cool.

Adding extra shade elements to your backyard can help keep your property comfortable, your home cool, and your guests entertained.

How to Keep Your Home Cool

Now that we are done working on the exterior of our home, let’s shift attention to the interior of the property. There are plenty of ways that we can approach keeping our homes cool this summer by making small, affordable adjustments. Let’s take a moment to highlight a few of our favorite simple cooling tricks.

  • Raise the Thermostat – Did you know that you can offset energy expenses by up to 3% when you raise your thermostat a single degree? Changing the thermostat from 78 to 80 when you are home will save a ton of money, so consider raising the temp even more if you know you will be out of the house for a while.
  • Check Your Filters – Air conditioning units thrive on efficiency to save you money. When was the last time that you changed or had your air filtration system cleaned? Regularly cleaning and changing your air filters will allow your AC to operate efficiently, cooling you quicker while saving money along the way.
  • Service Your A/C – When was the last time that you had your HVAC system properly serviced by a heating and cooling professional? Scheduling regular tune-ups to make sure your HVAC system is operating smoothly can save you time and money while also preventing potentially major repairs from manifesting.
  • Energy Efficient Upgrades – Homeowners looking to solve energy problems today and in the future can look to energy-efficient HVAC upgrades. EnergyStar-rated products ensure efficient cooling at minimum energy expenditure.

There are a ton of fantastic ways to explore cooling your home more efficiently and affordably. For a more thorough understanding of the ways that your home can be improved upon, consider contacting the team at One Stop Heating & Cooling for a free estimate and consultation.

Save on Utilities With One Stop Heating & Cooling

One Stop Heating & Cooling is a family-owned and operated business based out of the great state of Arizona. An advocate for the community, One Stop works diligently to supply honest, ethical, and affordable services to the good folks of Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Sun City, and the surrounding areas.

Clients who trust One Stop Heating & Cooling with their heating and AC services will enjoy a wide range of benefits.

  • 24/7 Emergency Services
  • Free Estimates & Consultations
  • Residential & Commercial Services
  • Air & Heating Repairs
  • Flexible Financing For Approved Clients

One Stop Heating & Cooling understands how important it is to treat your air and heating systems with respect and quality workmanship. Contact the team today at One Stop to schedule a free estimate at your convenience.