Save Money with These Thermostat Best Practices

November 4, 2021

Every homeowner wants to save their hard-earned money without sacrificing comfort. Often you may hear that keeping the thermostat at a consistent temperature is a smart idea to save energy. This way you don’t have to blast the heat or air conditioning to get the house to your target temperature.

But is this conventional wisdom correct? If you’re tired of high energy bills, read on to find out how you can use your thermostat settings to save money.

Thermostat best practices

Let’s start with what you’re likely wondering about: It’s best to adjust your thermostat accordingly whenever you leave the home for a while, then readjust it to a target temperature when you return home. The fact is that your home heats much faster than you think, and the conventional “consistent temperature” wisdom doesn’t hold up.

So, if you’re going to work for eight hours during the winter, feel free to lower the temperature while you’re out, then bring it back up to a comfortable temperature when you get back. The same goes for when you go to bed—turn down the thermostat a couple degrees at night, then bring it back up in the morning.

This is where a programmable thermostat can help save you money. Let’s face facts: You’re likely not going to remember to turn the thermostat to the appropriate temperature every single time. By programming it, you take out that human error element.

Winter settings

Who doesn’t want to come back to a warm home after spending time out in the cold? Here are the recommended settings for your thermostat for the winter:

  • When you’ll be away from home for an extended period, set the thermostat to 55 degrees.
  • Leave the thermostat at 62 to 66 degrees while you’re sleeping.
  • Set the thermostat between 68 and 72 degrees while you’re home during daytime hours.

You can set the thermostat to its highest point right when you get home, then slowly adjust the settings to be cooler in the evening. With a smart thermostat, you can set this all up ahead of time.

Summer settings

When the summer months hit, you’ll likely want to blast your air conditioner. But if you want your system to work at maximum efficiency, consider using the following settings:

  • Leave the thermostat at 85 degrees while the house is empty.
  • Set the thermostat between 75 and 78 degrees while you’re at home and awake.
  • Program the thermostat to stay at a slightly higher temperature during the overnight hours.

Every degree matters

Feel free to change the thermostat based on your comfort levels. However, remember that while the difference between 69 and 70 degrees doesn’t appear to be much, you will notice a difference in your energy bill at the end of the month by following these thermostat best practices.

At JMB A/C & Heating LLC, we’re dedicated to serving our customers’ heating and cooling needs. We offer name-brand products and top-notch services. We do it all, from installation and repair to tune-ups and maintenance, to ensure your family’s air is comfortable and delivered by a highly efficient HVAC system. Give us a call right now to learn more about our services and get a free quote!

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