It’s always nice when we manage to save money on our utility bills, but you should know there’s a way to lower energy use, even when you’re not even home.

The key is your thermostat. By learning more about its special features and settings, you can tailor the temperature to your needs. This means establishing various temperature settings for when you’re at home, away or even when you’re asleep.

By trying a few of these schedules, you have more time to enjoy pleasant temperatures while cutting down your energy bills. Check out our guide on how your thermostat can be a source of energy savings:

While at Home

Whenever you’re at home, you want a nice range of pleasant temperatures. That’s why it’s best to set your thermostat lower in the summer while inside to make the most of the cool air.

But the ideal temperature for when you’re in your home during the summer is in fact anywhere between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. By adjusting things a few degrees, you can stay cool while still keeping your energy bills low.

While Gone

When setting the temperature for when you are out of the house in summer, it’s extremely common to move the thermostat higher than you would if you were in the house.

If your home is in a shady spot in a cooler climate, you can set the thermostat to higher temperatures like 88 degrees while no one is home and then lower it back to the sweet spot of 78-80 degrees after you return. This way, your air conditioning won’t have to work constantly to provide cooling for a bunch of empty rooms.

While Sleeping

When it comes to sleeping in the summer, you want a temperature that’s nice and cool. You should try and keep things between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s less risk of getting too hot or too cold when you are trying to get some rest.

Other Strategies for Lowering Energy Use:

  • Install a smart thermostat: Switching to a smart thermostat in the summer is an excellent way to reduce energy costs as it forms temperature schedules according to your lifestyle and home environment. They can lower the temperature while you are home or sleeping, while allowing it to get warmer when no one is home. With models like the Lennox iComfort, you are able to adjust settings and schedules through your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Planning smart thermostat installation in your Lake Worth home can be the simplest strategy for maintaining comfortable, yet energy-efficient temperatures even when you aren’t home.
  • Replace current equipment with a newer HVAC system: Upgrading your HVAC system can save money in the long run. If a system boasts high energy efficiency, you can also count on lower utility bills since more efficient equipment requires less energy to reach your preferred temperatures. Air conditioning installation in Lake Worth is a breeze for experienced professionals like Smyth Air Conditioning.
  • Stay on top of routine AC maintenance: Whether or not you keep up with regular air conditioning maintenance in Lake Worth can have a significant impact on your utility bills. If you stay on top of cleaning key components like the coils, checking for damage and clearing air vents of dust and debris, this can help your HVAC system run more efficiently. Increasing efficiency also limits strain on key parts and lowers operational costs, leading to lower energy usage, which translates into lower energy bills.
  • Clean or replace the air filter on a regular basis: A regular schedule for cleaning or replacing the HVAC system’s air filter saves money by helping air flow efficiently through your air conditioner. When filters are old and less effective, an AC unit has to work harder, and the added strain may impact the system’s life span and cause breakdowns.
  • Verify your attic has enough insulation: Insulation is a crucial component for any energy-efficient home, keeping the hot air outside and the cool air inside during the summer. The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) suggests that homeowners living in southern climates should have at least 13-14 inches of insulation, while colder climates do better with 16-18 inches.
  • Check your air ducts: A leak in the air ducts could increase your energy bills much more than 20 percent, plus it can affect equipment such as your water heater, clothes dryer and other appliances to get into the atmosphere of your home. Watching for signs of leaks and sealing them can address both concerns.
  • Seal all other leaky spots in your home: Sealing up other leaks in your home with caulk, foam sealant or weather-stripping can help keep it cooler on hot summer days. It’s also important to check for any gaps around windows, doors and even outdoor fixtures. Making time to seal leaks now can help you save a lot in the long term.