Winter is one of the most dreaded times of the year when it comes to home energy bills. Because heating is almost always the most expensive part of any homeowner’s utility costs, many people try to cut back on their thermostat settings to save some money. However, while it might seem like a good idea to set your thermostat at 55 degrees during this time of year, there are better ways that you can use your thermostat settings for energy efficiency and cost savings.
This article will discuss the most popular thermostat tips for energy efficiency during the winter months and will explain why regular HVAC maintenance can help with efficiency over time.
1. Adjust your Thermostat Settings
The best time to adjust your thermostat settings is at night when the temperature drops into the mid-50’s. Making this simple change will reduce costs by about 2%, which may not seem like a lot; however, these small changes do add up over time, and they make a difference in your monthly utility bills.
2. Utilize Programmable Thermostats
One of the best ways to utilize your thermostat settings for energy efficiency is by utilizing a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are designed to make daily temperature adjustments to keep your home at a comfortable level while saving you money on energy costs. Many of these devices even allow you to set different temperatures for weekdays and weekends, so they can still be beneficial if you work from home on some days or over the weekend.
3. Keep Your Thermostat at 68 Degrees Fahrenheit
68 degrees Fahrenheit is considered to be the optimal temperature setting when it comes to energy efficiency. While this might seem too cold for most people, an easy way of implementing this idea is by utilizing a “fan-only” setting during the warmer months. On the flip side, keeping your home cooler to use less energy will also save more money than leaving it at a higher temperature and relying more on your air conditioner.
4. Use Fans to Circulate Warm or Cool Air
Another popular thermostat tip used for energy efficiency during the winter months is utilizing fans to circulate warm air throughout your home. Since heat rises, you can typically feel the highest levels of heat near the ceiling; therefore, a fan can ensure that this area of your home feels comfortable and consistent throughout the day.
If you live in an area where it gets extremely cold outside during the winter months, be sure to utilize a fan when turning up your thermostat settings so that warm air from above naturally falls into lower levels of your home. In addition, fans are also beneficial in the summer months because they can help circulate cool air throughout different areas of your home.
5. Clean and Service Your Equipment
While it may not seem like a typical thermostat tip for energy efficiency, regular HVAC maintenance also helps your equipment run more efficiently when the air filters are cleaned and maintained correctly. By ensuring that your unit’s filter isn’t clogged up with dust and debris, you will allow air to flow in and out of your home naturally. If you would like to learn more about how you can use your thermostat for energy efficiency, contact a professional HVAC company in order to schedule an appointment.
Regular Maintenance Can Help With Energy Efficiency Over Time
The best way to utilize your thermostat settings for energy efficiency is by keeping it at 68 degrees Fahrenheit; however, utilizing programmable thermostats and smaller changes can make a difference in your monthly utility bills. You should have regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system and thermostat to ensure it is running smoothly throughout the year. Contact a professional HVAC company today if you are interested in how your thermostat can help with energy efficiency.
Be Sure to Always Hire a Professional
It is important to hire a professional HVAC company to maintain your heating and cooling equipment regularly. A trained professional can inspect your unit from top to bottom and ensure that it is working correctly at all times. In addition, they will also be able to tell you the best thermostat settings for energy efficiency that will benefit your family’s needs.
Depending on the size of your home, the cost of hiring a professional can pay off in multiple ways:
While these are the most popular thermostat tips for energy efficiency during the winter months, they aren’t the only ones. For more information on how you can use your thermostat for energy efficiency, be sure to contact a local Austin AC today. Our team has years of experience and holds NATE certifications in the field. We are happy to provide free estimates on all of our services to new and existing clients.