Keeping your house cool in Ware, MA, does not have to strain your budget. Use these strategies for the best thermostat settings to save energy this summer.
Set Your Thermostat to 74 Degrees Fahrenheit
The Department of Energy recommends keeping the thermostat temperature on your AC at 74 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting keeps your home sufficiently cool and dehumidified while minimizing the amount of energy your air conditioner uses. Keeping your thermostat at this consistent temperature also helps prolong the lifespan of your cooling system.
Ensure the Ideal Placement of Your Thermostat
If possible, avoid placing your thermostat near sources of heat, such as kitchen appliances or windows with direct sunlight. This is because your thermostat will detect heat and prompt your cooling system to run even if other parts of your house are cool. It leads to excessive energy use and higher cooling bills during the summer.
Increase the Temperature to 85 Degrees When You Are Away
Before you leave home, raise the setting on your thermostat to 85 degrees. During your absence, your air conditioner will not have to work as hard to cool your home when no one is there.
This tip helps save you money on your monthly cooling bills. It also prevents overuse of your cooling system while still controlling the humidity level inside your house.
Lower the Temperature at Night
Before you go to bed for the night, lower the temperature to 70 to 72 degrees. Cooler outdoor nighttime temperatures spare your cooling system from having to work as hard to keep your home cool. It does not have to exert itself to compensate as it would during the daytime when outdoor temperatures are higher.
Further, keeping the setting cooler at night facilitates better sleep for you and your family. You avoid feeling hot and muggy, which can keep you awake. It also promotes better air circulation throughout your house so that the air remains fresh, which will reduce stuffiness.
Gradually Adjust Your Thermostat
As the summer weather grows hotter, adjust the setting on your thermostat gradually. Increase the temperature setting on it by one degree every day.
This strategy helps your cooling system acclimate to higher temperatures easily and avoids putting strain on your system. It also helps keep your cooling expenses in check because your system will not overwork itself trying to run at drastic and sudden cooler temperatures.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Remembering to adjust the thermostat manually can become tricky and time-consuming if you keep a busy schedule during the summer. Instead of making manual adjustments, invest in a smart thermostat for your home.
A smart thermostat lets you create cooling schedules for your household’s unique comfort needs during the summer. You can create a schedule to keep it cool at night and slightly warmer when you are away at work during the day. You can also arrange for your system to run on a modified schedule when you are on vacation.
Monitor Your Energy Use
A smart thermostat also makes it easy for you to monitor your household’s energy use. It provides you with a daily rundown of how much energy your home uses and during what times the cooling system uses the most power. You can use this information to adjust the temperature and cooling schedule to lower your household’s energy consumption and keep your utility costs more affordable.
Set the Thermostat to Eco-Mode
Set your smart thermostat to eco-mode to save money on your energy costs this summer. This setting optimizes energy savings based on factors like the occupancy of your home and usage patterns with your cooling system.
Many smart thermostats today use geofencing or sensors to detect the occupancy of your home. This technology allows the thermostat to adjust itself automatically without you having to turn the setting up or down manually.
It ensures you do not waste money cooling your home when no one is there. Further, if your home is on a Time-of-Use electricity plan, this mode on your thermostat schedules cooling for lower-cost electricity hours.
Use Zoned Cooling
Use zoned cooling in your home. This option allows you to keep the main areas, such as the living room and bedrooms, cool.
It also lets you keep less frequently used areas, such as a guest bedroom or utility room, at slightly warmer temperatures, sparing you from having to cool parts of your house needlessly. You save money on your household’s energy use and its monthly AC bills.
Keep the Vents Clear
Before summer arrives, check the vents of your cooling system. Remove debris like dust and dirt from the grills. Relocate any objects, such as totes and boxes, that are sitting in front of them so that they will not impede airflow. Clear vents make it easier for your AC system to maintain the temperature at which you have set the thermostat.
Use Your Ceiling Fans
Your thermostat will also work better if you use the ceiling fans in your home. Set them to a counter-clockwise direction to push cool air down.
You should feel a breeze when you stand under them. This direction creates a wind chill effect in your home and circulates cold air from the AC to help your system run more efficiently, which will maintain the thermostat temperature.
Avoid Using Heat-Producing Appliances
Your thermostat will work better if you wait to use heat-producing appliances until it is cooler outdoors. Wait until after sunset when the outdoor temperatures are lower. Use other appliances, such as a microwave oven and an air fryer, to prepare food. Run your dryer at night.
Keep the Blinds and Draperies Closed
Help promote better energy efficiency by keeping your blinds and draperies closed. Your AC thermostat detects ambient air in your home, and if that air is warm because of sunlight and heat coming in through your windows, your thermostat will signal to the AC to start cooling your home. Keep the ambient air in your home cooler by ensuring the window coverings remain closed during the daytime.
Seal Openings in the Windows and Doors
Heat and moisture coming in through openings around the doors and windows will also make the ambient air in your home feel warmer. Help the thermostat function more efficiently by sealing these openings before summer. Use durable materials like mastic tape, weatherstripping, and foam to seal them tightly to keep out warm air and humidity.
Use a Dehumidifier
Humid air prompts the thermostat to tell your cooling system to turn on and lower the indoor air temperature. Keep the air cooler and drier by running a dehumidifier along with your central cooling system. Whole-house models will have the best impact.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance for Your Cooling System
Hire one of our technicians to professionally maintain your cooling system. This service involves testing the thermostat to ensure it works optimally. Our technician will recalibrate, repair, or recommend replacing it to help keep your home more energy efficient this summer.
Learn About Our Energy-Efficient Cooling Options
At Pioneer Valley Environmental, we have more than 20 years of experience helping homeowners in the Ware area keep their homes energy efficient and cool all summer. Our technicians install and repair air conditioners in addition to providing professional AC maintenance for them. We also belong to the Mass Save program and offer 24/7 AC repairs. Contact Pioneer Valley Environmental for thermostat services.
