Setting Your Thermostat to Save Money in Summer

It's always nice when we manage to save money on our 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 using automatic schedules, you can tailor the temperature to your needs. That means you can have different temperature settings for when you’re at home, away or even when you’re asleep.

With a few simple adjustments, you'll be able to enjoy comfortable temperatures while cutting down your energy bills. Check out our guide on how your thermostat can be a source of energy savings:

While at Home

Whenever you're at home, you want comfortable temperatures. It's only natural to want your thermostat lower in the summer if you're indoors to appreciate the cool air.

But the most energy-efficient temperatures for the summer is actually around 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. By adjusting things a few degrees, you can stay cool while keeping your energy bill more manageable.

While Out of the House

If you're setting the temperature for a vacation or other trip away from the house, the majority of homeowners will set the thermostat higher than you would if you were in the house.

If your home is in a shady spot in a cooler climate, you can set the temperature as high as 88 degrees while no one is home before lowering it back to the sweet spot of 78-80 degrees once you're home again. This way, your air conditioning unit won’t be working overtime to keep an empty house cool.

While Sleeping

For a full night's rest during summer weather, you want a nice cool 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.

Other Strategies for Lowering Energy Use:

• Smart thermostat installation: Using a smart thermostat in the summer can lower energy costs as it forms temperature schedules according to your lifestyle and home environment. It'll take care of making changes while you are home or sleeping, while allowing it to warm up when the house is empty. With reliable brands like the Lennox iComfort, you can adjust the temperature remotely through your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Requesting smart thermostat installation in your Belton home can be the simplest strategy for maintaining comfortable, yet energy-efficient temperatures whether you're at home or across the country.
• Upgrade your HVAC system: Upgrading your HVAC system can save money in the long run. With greater energy efficiency, your utility bills will be lower because it requires less energy to achieve comfortable temperatures. Air conditioning installation in Belton is a breeze for experienced professionals like Myers Furnace Company.
• Keep up with AC maintenance: Investing in or ignoring regular air conditioning maintenance in Belton can have a significant impact on your utility bills. With regular cleaning of 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.. Higher energy efficiency will also reduce strain on key parts 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: A regular schedule for cleaning or replacing the HVAC system's air filter saves money by improving airflow. When filters are clogged with dirt and debris, your air conditioner will have to work harder, and the strain can reduce the system’s life span and result in breakdowns.
• Confirm your attic is sufficiently insulated: Insulation is a crucial component for any energy-efficient home, keeping the hot air outside and the cool air inside during the summer. The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) suggests that homeowners living in southern climates should install at least 13-14 inches of insulation, while those in northern U.S. states should have 16-18 inches.
• Check your ventilation: Leaky ductwork can raise your energy bills much more than 20 percent, plus it can affect equipment such as your water heater, clothes dryer and other appliances to get into the atmosphere of your home. Checking your ductwork for leaks and sealing them can address both concerns.
• Seal all other leaky spots in your home: Sealing up other leaks in your home with caulk, foam sealant or weather-stripping helps keep things cooler during those hot summer days. Don't forget to check for any gaps around windows, doors and even outdoor fixtures. Making time to seal leaks now can help you save a lot over time.