At what temperature should your thermostat be set while you’re home, away or sleeping during the summer or winter months? This simple guide to properly using your thermostat will help you to maximize your savings throughout the year.
Setting your thermostat during the summer
Generally, our bodies are most comfortable when the air inside of our home is within a degree or two of a steady 75 degrees F during the hot, summer months. This temperature setting, however, is only necessary when your house is occupied during waking hours. If you’re gone for long periods throughout the day, you can set the temperature several degrees higher. A few degrees higher while you’re sleeping is also a good energy-saving practice. Doing this for eight-hour intervals will significantly scale back your cooling costs. Don’t go overboard on setting high temperatures, however, since an A/C – especially an undersized one – will struggle to return to your comfort level if the air temperature gets too warm.
Setting your thermostat during the winter
When you’re awake and at home during the colder months of the year, your heating system will keep you comfortably warm at about 68 degrees. Just as during the summer, you can save money on your heating bills by lowering your thermostat a few degrees at eight-hour intervals – either while you’re at work or are asleep.
Setting your thermostat when you’re away
What should your thermostat be set at when you’re away for a weekend or on vacation? Although you may think you should shut your system off completely, you should actually set your thermostat at a constant temperature that’s several degrees higher than normal during summer trips, and several degrees lower on winter getaways. Turning your system completely off can result in high humidity levels and mold growth, as your home’s interior temperature will be uncontrolled and air will not circulate. Also, it’s good security to have your outdoor condensing unit kicking on occasionally to make it appear someone’s at home.
Do you have any more questions about setting the ideal temperature in your home? Are you looking for more energy efficient ways to save money and stay comfortable? Give us a call at Total Mechanical Systems at (860) 314-1518 and one of our experienced technicians would be happy to come out and show you the latest technology when it comes to programmable thermostats and other options to make your heating and cooling systems work as efficiently as possible for you and your home. After all, your comfort is ALWAYS our first priority!!!
Source:
https://davisac.com/blog/what-should-your-thermostat-be-set-at-in-summer-and-winter
