Dial up the temperature to dial down your costs
Everyone wants to keep cool all summer long, but there’s no need to pay extra for that privilege. There’s plenty you can do to cut the energy usage of your air conditioning system without compromising comfort, and probably the simplest way is to just adjust your thermostat.
The rule of thumb for summer thermostat settings is to set it as high as you can without becoming uncomfortable. For most people, that’s somewhere in the 76-79 degrees Fahrenheit range. Turning your thermostat up by one degree cuts your energy usage by about 8%, so it pays to make that adjustment even if it’s just from 72 to 73. Experiment with different settings and find your family’s sweet spot.
One way to make it easier to set your thermostat higher is to invest in ceiling fans. Fans make the air feel cooler by producing a breeze in the room. We recommend getting an Energy Star-rated fan to maximize your savings; find one with a reverse setting and you’ll save during the heating season, too.
Remember, there’s no need to keep your air conditioner running while the house is empty. Modern central air can cool your house down in just a few minutes, so you can afford to turn the thermostat up before you leave and turn it back down when you get home. Get in the habit of doing that every day, or to make it easier, invest in a programmable thermostat. Many current models allow you to set separate day-by-day, hour-by-hour temperature levels to maximize your savings.
Another option available with modern thermostats is zoned control. Basically, the system splits up your home into multiple cooling “zones” and provides independent climate control in each one. You can save a bundle by shutting off the air conditioning in an unused room. Zoned control also allows you to turn up the AC in that especially hot part of the house.
The HVAC industry is constantly working to churn out even better control systems, and modern thermostats have a slew of additional features that can help you save. You may be able to remotely control the temperature in your home with a mobile device, which is great if you forget to turn the AC on before you leave. If your plans change, send a signal to the thermostat when you’re about 10 minutes away, and you’ll come home to a cool, climate-controlled house.
At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we’re proud to be the Austin area’s air conditioning service experts, and we’re always happy to share what we know. Give us a call to learn more about ways to save, or to get a free estimate from one of our cooling experts.