Heating and cooling account for about 48 percent of your home’s energy consumption, so if you are looking for a place to make a few tweaks, it’s time to take a look at your thermostat and heating/cooling habits. If you’re willing to cozy up in a sweater or turn on a fan every once in a while, you could save even more. Here is how to save money on your energy bill with your thermostat.
Adjust the Thermostat
According to the US Department of Energy, by simply setting your thermostat at least 10 degrees higher for eight hours a day from its normal setting, you can save up to10 percent per year on energy costs. Of course, these savings will be far greater in milder climates than for those in severe cold or hot climates.
This strategy works especially well during the summertime. Simply keep your house warmer than usual when you go to work, or go out for the day, and only cool the house when you are at home. Generally, the smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your energy costs will be.
Programmable Thermostat
This is where a programmable thermostat makes the most sense. You can easily schedule the times when you want the heating or AC to turn on. Programmable thermostats can even store multiple daily settings to make switching between temperatures quite easy from your smartphone or other devices.
During cold weather, try setting your thermostat to 68 degrees while you are at home, but turn it down by up to 10 degrees when you are sleeping or away from the home. In hot weather, set the thermostat to 78 degrees and set it to 85 degrees when no one is home. You could have a savings of around $83 dollars a year by adjusting the thermostat in this way.
Tip: If you have pets you need to consider the comfort and safety of your animals, so be sure to set the thermostat at a temperature that is bearable and safe for you and your pets.
Save on energy costs: The Benefits of Using a Programmable Thermostat
Factors that Affect Heating and Cooling
The energy efficiency and savings that you might get from adjusting your thermostat can be impacted by numerous factors in your house including:
The age of your house. The quality of your insulation is often determined by the age of your home. A well-insulated home will hold both heat and cool air longer, making the reheating or cooling period faster.
The location of the thermostat. Performance and efficiency can be affected by the location of your thermostat. To operate at peak efficiency, a thermostat should be on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, drafts, any furniture, doorways, skylights, and windows.
The number of windows. Windows can have an effect on how much hot or cold air is in your home depending on the time of year. In the heat of summer, it is wise to close blinds and curtains during the heat of the day to help your AC unit run more efficiently. In the winter, sunlight is a hot commodity, and the curtains should be open to let the sunlight in
Be cautious what you are trying to cool your home down quickly. By setting your thermostat too low, you can cause your HVAC system to work overdrive and wear out its components quicker. Avoid excessive cooling and unnecessary expenses, and cool down or heat up your home gradually.
Related: How Much Energy Does An AC Unit Use in a Month?
Save On Energy Costs with Super Heat & Air
When it comes to saving money by lowering or raising the thermostat’s temperature, it all comes down to how chilly or hot a house you can tolerate. If you are willing to keep your home warmer or cooler all the time depending on the season, you could double your savings compared to just heating or cooling when people aren’t home.
Save on energy costs and keep your HVAC system running efficiently by calling the pros at Super Heat & Air to install a programmable thermostat in your home. By adjusting the temperature while heating or cooling, at the end of the year you’ll have a nice chunk of change that you can put into savings! Yes!
Schedule a programmable thermostat installation or energy audit with Super Heat & Air today! [hls_phone_numbers]
