Setting the temperature once on your thermostat and forgetting all about it is a mistake that all homeowners should refrain from making. As the outdoor climate changes, you need to make corresponding adjustments to the thermostat to get maximum comfort indoors. Additionally, the thermostat settings govern the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Setting very high temperatures during winters and very low during summers is also an expensive folly as it will raise your power bills. The ideal thermostat setting is that in which you get optimum energy efficiency without compromising your comfort. But for that, one needs to keep adjusting the temperature according to the time of the day and the season.
Thermostat Settings For Ideal Indoor Temperature
There is no single thermostat setting that will help maintain the ideal indoor temperature. Categorically speaking, for your HVAC, there are two main seasons whose effects it tries to nullify inside your home. These are summer and winter. So let us have a look at the most appropriate settings for both.
1. Thermostat Setting For Summers – Summer months are the most demanding for any cooling system, especially the long hot days. Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit is best for this time. If you plan to be away from home for longer than 4 hours, it is best to adjust the thermostat setting further. When away from home for long-duration, the cooling should commence only when the indoor temperature drops below 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Studies show that in the summer months, for every degree you raise the temperature on your thermostat over 78 degrees Fahrenheit, you can land up saving around 6% to 8% off your energy bill for each degree. So, keeping the temperature slightly elevated is best for your home as well as pockets.
2. Thermostat Setting For Winters – Winter is the time when everybody wants to stay warm without wearing multiple layers of clothing. During the daytime, set the temperature on your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) consumer resource “Energy Saver” turning down the thermostat setting by 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours a day will lower your energy bill by 5% to 10% annually. So, what you can do is lower the thermostat at night when you go to bed. You may find using a warm blanket while you sleep gives you a better and more comfortable sleep.
Tips For Adjusting Thermostat Settings
Here are a few tips that will come handy when adjusting the thermostat settings :
1. It’s Ok to turn off your heating and cooling system when you are away from home, and you don’t own any pets or plants. If you do, adjust the settings in the suggested range only.
2. Refrain from lowering the temperature too much in order to cool your home faster.
Tips For Maximizing Energy Efficiency
In addition to adjusting the thermostat settings, here are a few other things you can do to get extra comfort without any extra cost:
1. In summers, use your ceiling fan along with the air conditioner. It will ease the workload on your cooling system and cool your home faster and better.
2. Make sure that your home is properly insulated at all times. Close all open windows and seal the gaps and cracks, if any.
3. In winters, wear a pullover inside the home and use a blanket while sleeping instead of making your heating system overburdened.
Invest In A Programmable Thermostat
There is no one temperature that is perfect for every home. Neither is there a suitable temperature for every moment. The requirement changes from family to family, depending on their routines and lifestyle. Getting a programmable thermostat gives you a chance to feed the most desirable settings for your home. You can even take into account the work hours, school hours, traveling time, etc. and program your thermostat accordingly. There is no need for continuous adjustments. You program it once, and it will take care of maintaining a comfortable environment in your home automatically. Not having a programmable thermostat means that you have no flexibility. Either you make the adjustments every day, or you forgo them entirely. Therefore, it is good to invest in a programmable thermostat and optimize it as per the needs of your family.
Other Methods To Save Energy
Here are a few other ways in which you can save energy:
1. Schedule periodic maintenance of your heating and cooling system so that it works optimally at all times. A well-maintained system consumes less power.
2. Ensure that your home is properly sealed. If not, take remedial action at the earliest possible.
3. Close the vents in the rooms that are not used regularly. Also, make sure that the doors of these rooms, too, remain closed.
4. Most importantly, try to get a good electricity rate. You should not pay more than what you need to.
5. When upgrading to a better heating and cooling system, purchase the one that has a better SEER rating. It will serve you well in the long run.
6. Pay attention to the size of your HVAC unit. Both oversized and undersized unit will increase your utility bills.
The Key To Save Money
Finding the right balance between comfort and utility cost is important. Compromising on one for the sake of the other will not render any savings. The key to maximize your savings is setting the indoor temperature as close as possible to the outdoor temperature. This reduces the work that your unit has to perform and does not put it under any undue stress. A little trial and error will help you discover what thermostat settings work best for your family.
Aztil AC Recommends
Adjusting the thermostat settings for temperature alone is not sufficient to make your living space comfortable. Humidity plays an important role too. Aztil AC recommends not overlooking this important aspect as no temperature is right when the humidity is high. If you still have any questions or queries, feel free to contact us at +1-888-729-8452.
