Everyone’s always looking to save money on their utility bills, but it just so happens there’s a way to do it when you aren’t even home.
The key is your thermostat. By learning more about its special features and settings, you can tailor the temperature to your needs. You can create a number of automated temperature settings for when you’re home, away or even when you’re sleeping.
By trying a few of these schedules, you'll be able to enjoy comfortable temperatures while keeping more money in your pocket. Check out our guide on how your thermostat doesn't have to use up all your summer spending money:
While at Home
When you’re home, you want comfortable temperatures. That’s why it’s best to set your thermostat lower in the summer if you're indoors to appreciate the cool air.
But in terms of energy efficiency, the best range for when you're in your home during the summer is in fact anywhere between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. By adjusting things a few degrees, you'll avoid the worst of summer while still lowering your monthly energy bill.
While Away
When it comes to setting the temperature for when you are out of the house in summer, it's extremely common to move the thermostat higher for while they're gone.
If your home is located somewhere a little cooler, you can set the thermostat to temperatures as high as 88 degrees while no one is home before you adjust it back to the sweet spot of 78-80 degrees when you or a family member return. This way, your air conditioning system isn't working around the clock to provide cooling for a bunch of empty rooms.
While Asleep
For a full night's rest during summer weather, you want your thermostat set at a comfortable temperature. A great place to start is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep you from getting too hot or too cold at some point overnight.
Additional Ways to Reduce Energy Use:
- Put in a smart thermostat: Switching to a smart thermostat in the summer helps save money on energy costs by automatically adjusting to your lifestyle and personal preferences. A smart thermostat manages the temperature if you are home or sleeping, before allowing it to warm up when no one is around. With reliable brands like the Lennox iComfort, you can adjust the temperature remotely through your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Planning smart thermostat installation in your Florissant home can be the simplest strategy for maintaining comfortable, yet energy-efficient temperatures whether you're at home or across the country.
- Update your existing HVAC system: Upgrading your HVAC system is another great option for long-term energy savings. If a system boasts high energy efficiency, lower utility bills won't be far behind since it requires less energy to reach your preferred temperatures. Air conditioning installation in Florissant is only a phone call away, so don't hesitate to reach out to local pros who can set you up for success.
- Stay on top of routine AC maintenance: Whether or not you keep up with regular air conditioning maintenance in Florissant can have a significant impact on your utility bills. If you stay on top of cleaning key components like the coils, checking for damage and clearing ventilation of dust and debris, you may notice your HVAC system perform better during day-to-day use.. Increasing efficiency also limits strain on the unit and lowers operational costs, leading to lower energy usage, which translates into lower energy bills.
- Clean or replace the air filter on a regular basis: Regularly changing the air filters in your HVAC system saves money by keeping airflow as smooth and consistent as possible. When filters are old and less effective, an AC unit has to work harder, and the strain can reduce the system’s life span and cause breakdowns.
- Check your attic insulation: Insulation is one of the key components in any energy-efficient home, securing the hot air outside and the cool air inside over the summer. The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) offers an official recommendation stating homeowners in southern states should have at least 13-14 inches of insulation, while states further north need 16-18 inches.
- Inspect your ductwork: A leak in the air ducts could increase your energy bills much more than 20 percent, plus it can affect equipment such as your water heater, clothes dryer and other appliances throughout your home. Checking your ductwork for leaks and sealing them can help with both these issues.
- Seal all other leaky spots in your home: Finding and sealing any remaining leaks in your home with caulk, foam sealant or weather-stripping helps keep things cooler during those hot summer days. It also important to check for any gaps around windows, doors and even outdoor fixtures. Taking the time to seal up any leaks now can help you save a lot in the long term.