Everyone’s always looking to save money on their utility bills, but you should know there’s a way to keep costs down, even when you're out of the house.
The secret is your thermostat. By learning more about its special features and settings, you can structure its daily schedule around your personal preferences. This means establishing various temperature settings for when you’re at home, away or even when you’re asleep.
By trying a few of these schedules, you can enjoy comfy temperatures while keeping more money in your pocket. Take a look at a few ways your thermostat doesn't have to use up all your summer spending money:
While at Home
When you’re home, you want comfortable temperatures. It's only natural to want your thermostat lower in the summer while inside to appreciate the cool air.
But in terms of energy efficiency, the best range for the summer is usually between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. With this adjustment, you'll keep cool while keeping your energy bill more manageable.
While Away
If you're setting the temperature for whenever you're gone, the majority of homeowners will set the thermostat higher than normal.
Depending on the local climate or your home's location, you can set the thermostat to higher temperatures like 88 degrees while no one is home before you adjust it back to the sweet spot of 78-80 degrees after you return. This way, your air conditioning won't have to work constantly to provide cooling for a bunch of empty rooms.
While Sleeping
When it comes to sleeping in the summer, you want a nice cool temperature. A great place to start is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. You won't have to worry about getting too hot or too cold when you are trying to get some rest.
Other Strategies for Lowering Energy Use:
- Install a smart thermostat: Using a smart thermostat in the summer helps save money on energy costs since it can plan your temperature adjustments according to your lifestyle and personal preferences. They can lower the temperature while you are home or sleeping, before allowing it to get a little warmer when no one is home. With models like the Lennox iComfort, you can adjust the temperature remotely through your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Requesting smart thermostat installation in your Carson City home can be the simplest strategy for maintaining comfortable, yet energy-efficient temperatures even when you aren’t home.
- Upgrade your HVAC system: Upgrading your HVAC system saves money right from the start. By investing in a more energy-efficient system, you can also count on lower utility bills since more efficient equipment requires less energy to reach your preferred temperatures. Air conditioning installation in Carson City is a great way to beat the heat in the summer.
- Schedule annual AC maintenance: Hiring a skilled professional to perform regular air conditioning maintenance in Carson City can have a significant impact on your utility bills. By regularly cleaning the coils, checking for damage and keeping vents clear of dust and debris, this can help your HVAC system perform better during day-to-day use.. Increasing efficiency also limits strain on important or delicate components 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 helping air flow efficiently through your air conditioner. When filters become clogged, air conditioners have to work harder, and the strain can reduce the system’s life span and lead to 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 during 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 ventilation: A leak in the air ducts could increase your energy bills much more than 20 percent, plus it can potentially allow harmful emissions from your water heater, clothes dryer and other appliances throughout your home. Checking your ductwork for leaks and sealing them can fix both of those problems.
- 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. Devoting time and effort to sealing leaks now can help you save a lot over time.