Ride The Wave
Your thermostat is your friend. It will help you stay comfy year-round, and, with the right tricks up your sleeve, can help you save money on your energy bills too. What to do:
- When it’s warm outside:
- During spring, summer or whenever it’s too warm for comfort outside, it’s recommended you set your home’s cooling system to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you’ll be out of the house for 4 or more hours, raise the settings so the AC only comes on if the temperature reaches 88 degrees. This will help save money on your energy bill.
- Remember to open the doors between rooms in your home so the cool air can flow more freely, and close blinds and curtains to keep the sun out.
- When it’s cold outside:
- During cooler months, lowering your thermostat temperature by 10% – 15% for 8 hours per day (maybe overnight while you sleep) will help you see an energy reduction on your bill. So, if 70 degrees is ideal, try to set your heat temp at 63 degrees overnight, or during the day (or night) while you’re away at work.
- Consider covering hard floors with rugs and carpets to help trap more heat inside.
- Consider installing a programmable thermostat that will let you run a scheduled heating and cooling program without having to remember to change your settings throughout the day.
Remember, adjusting the temperature in your home manually or with a programmable thermostat is a great way to save some money as a homeowner. And who doesn’t want that?