May is planning time for hot weather. This is when we recommend our customers schedule their air conditioning maintenance: our technicians will provide a thorough inspection and tune-up for an air conditioning system to help it work with as few problems as possible through the summer. A tune-up also keeps an air conditioner operating at its maximum energy efficiency, helping to save money. (And we’re offering a great deal on an AC tune-up right now!)
However, people often allow their energy savings of air conditioning maintenance in Staten Island, NY go to waste over the summer by forcing their cooling systems to work harder than necessary. It might surprise you to find out that some basic errors in setting the thermostat can lead to a significant bump in your utility bills. These errors are common, and we’d like to offer advice for how you can change your thermostat habits to start saving money with your AC when the summer heat arrives.
Smart Thermostat Use for the Summer
Here’s the big secret of thermostat settings during the summer: don’t turn your thermostat down, turn it up! That doesn’t sound like it makes much sense, but we’ll explain.
When you lower your thermostat, what you’re doing isn’t requesting more cooling from the air conditioner. You’re simply telling the air conditioner to remain running for longer until it reaches the set temperature. This wastes energy and results in an interior that isn’t even comfortable. (You don’t want a 60°F house!) It also results in an imbalance between indoor and outdoor temperatures that causes heat to move into the house faster. It’s better to maintain a smaller difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures so your house doesn’t gain as much heat. The air conditioner will need to run less often, saving you money.
What’s a good temperature for comfort and saving money? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, keeping the thermostat at 78°F when you’re at home and require cooling is ideal. You may need to adjust up and down a bit to find the best comfort zone, but keep the thermostat up as high as possible to reduce the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.
Consider an Actual “Smart” Thermostat
There’s another way to improve energy savings with your thermostat: upgrade to a new one! If you still have a manual or no-frills digital thermostat, we recommend you contact us to put in a “smart” thermostat. This is a type of thermostat that learns from your pattern of settings to develop its own program that maximizes energy savings. You won’t have to worry about your comfort or cutting down on costs: the thermostat does all the hard work! Plus, you can operate the thermostat remotely with an app on your phone or tablet.
If you require professional assistance with your central air conditioning system to ensure it gets off to a good start for the warmer weather, you need look no farther than our team. When you sign up for our maintenance plan, you’ll receive guaranteed same-day emergency service, discounts on repairs, and a 5-year warranty on repairs.
Bob Mims Heating & Air Conditioning has served Staten Island’s heating and AC needs since 1955.
