Summer Thermostat Temperature: What To Set It At

summer thermostatWith the recent weather we’ve encountered, it’s no surprise that summer’s very much here! That means the air conditioning system in your Delmarva home is going to be working a lot more frequently.

That prospect may have you worrying about an increase in your energy bills. But we have some tips to help with that so you can get more control over your energy bills without having to give up the comfort of a cool, air-conditioned home.

Firstly, don’t worry: You don’t have to make any drastic changes. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that turning your thermostat up approximately 7˚ for eight hours a day during cooling season (and down the same amount for eight hours a day during heating season) can help you save up to 10% on your cooling and heating costs.

Cooling makes up about 40% of your energy costs in the summer, so these adjustments can help you save big.

Here’s a simple guide on what temperature to set your thermostat for, and when to do it.
Summer months:

  • When you’re home and awake, program air conditioning to 77°F.
  • Program the A/C to shut off during the hours you’re out of the house.

Winter months:

  • When you’re home and awake, set the thermostat for 68°F.
  • Lower temperatures by 10° for the hours you’re asleep or out of the house.

Use a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat is the best way to keep your cooling costs under control this summer.

That’s because unlike us, programmable thermostats don’t forget to adjust the thermostat. Here’s what to do when programming your thermostat:

  • Program heat or A/C to shut off 20-30 minutes before you leave home each day; return them to normal comfort levels 20 to 30 minutes before you come home.
  • Program reductions in heating or cooling to begin 60 minutes before you go to sleep; return them to normal comfort levels 30 minutes before you awaken.

Programmable thermostats are available at your local home improvement stores and online, and will pay for themselves quickly with your energy cost savings.

Take care of your air conditioning

If your air conditioning system hasn’t had a tune-up this year, now is the time to do it! Regular professional maintenance keeps your air conditioning system running at its best possible efficiency. That helps keep your energy bills down, an also helps protect you from a breakdown, which could come with repair bills to add to your energy bills.

As COVID restrictions around our Delaware HVAC service area begin to ease, we expect a large increase in demand for A/C tune-up’s and service – make sure you’re first on our list so you can properly beat the heat in the midst of a hot summer season. Contact us, today!