Is The Cost Of AC Making You Sweat During the Hot Summer Months?
The summer heat can take a real toll on our bodies and wallets. Thankfully our AC systems are always ready to help us stay cool, or they should be. When it comes time to foot the utility bill for your private fortress of solitude, however, AC doesn’t seem like such a godsend anymore. Sometimes the blow to your wallet is so discouraging that you would sooner melt in the sun than switch on the AC. But with a programmable thermostat, you can avoid this problem and live in the lap of air-conditioned luxury. Here are a few tips to consider when planning your thermostat‘s schedule.
Find Your Ideal Temperature
Before programming your thermostat, you must look within yourself and ask, “What’s my ideal temperature?” Before you begin getting philosophical, know that, for most, a temperature of 78°F(or 26°C) is perfectly suitable for summer living. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, keeping your home at 78°F is also the most efficient way to stay cool during the summer. Naturally, your needs may be slightly different. Your ideal temperature may be slightly lower or higher, depending on your body chemistry. Feel free to experiment with your thermostat until you find the right temperature. As you do this, know that the further you go into either extreme, the harder your HVAC system will have to work to maintain that temperature.
Set a Regular Schedule
Instead of constantly adjusting your thermostat, take the time to teach it your schedule. An effective plan will consider when you wake up, leave for work, return from work, and go to bed. You can also add any significant events in your day that may significantly affect your household’s overall temperature balance. In each portion of your day, it is best to program your thermostat as follows:
Morning
It is best not to keep the air conditioning flowing through the night. Instead, to offset the heat accumulated while you slept, set your thermostat to operate about 5-10 minutes before you wake up. This buffer will give your home time to reach a comfortable temperature before you begin your day. The temperature change may even help gently wake you!
Time For Work
Don’t turn off your thermostat once it is time to leave for work! Instead, set your thermostat to allow your home to heat slightly, between 85°F and 90°F(30°C-32°C). Your thermostat should easily maintain this temperature without raising a huge utility bill. Once it comes time to cool your home back down for your arrival, it will be more efficient to begin the process at these temperatures. Allow your home to heat significantly. It will take more time and energy to get it to the proper temperature. Speaking of which…
After Work
Instead of waiting to get home to adjust your thermostat, please set it to begin cooling your home about half an hour before you plan to call home. This preemptive cooling will allow your house to be at the perfect temperature when you get home. This method also benefits from decreasing the chance of having you lower the temperature in a desperate attempt to get cool.
Bedtime
No one likes sleeping in the heat, but keeping your AC running through the night is bad. The best practice would be to keep your temperature steady until about when you expect to have fallen asleep. Then, have your thermostat set to relax and allow your home to warm back to the same kind of temperatures as you would while away at work.
Of course, this schedule would not be permanent as your home’s needs change daily, especially with other people at home.
Close Your Doors and Windows
Keeping everything shut may seem like a no-brainer, but it always bears repeating. If you use your air conditioning system, keeping your doors and windows closed is always good. Your home must be as closed off from the outdoors as possible; otherwise, all of the cool air in your home will go rushing out. As a result, your home will never reach the appropriate temperature. Your thermostat and HVAC system will eat through electricity, trying to maintain the proper temperature.
Turn Off Your Thermostat When Away From Home
If you plan on leaving home for the weekend, don’t forget to turn off your thermostat. As silly as trying to cool a house with open doors, it is equally foolish to cool a home with no one. Once you return, you can switch your thermostat back to the schedule it was on before you left.
Set Your Thermostat
With this knowledge, you can set your thermostat to best suit your needs and stop worrying about cooling costs. Be sure to contact your AC repair experts at Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Electric to sort out any more questions or issues you may have!
