The Best Summer Thermostat Settings

Posted: June 5, 2023

Ease the Strain on Your Central Air System

The summer heat will be here soon– and with that comes higher electric bills as your cooling system kicks into overdrive.

A properly functioning central air conditioning system makes it easy to stay cool at a reasonable cost. But you want to avoid mistakes along the way that could cost you extra money. For instance, see if this situation sounds familiar.

Some people turn off their cooling system when everyone leaves the house for the day. But when they get back home, especially on a hot day, they will turn the thermostat down as low as possible to speed up the cooling process.

But this won’t cool your house any faster! In fact, it just keeps your system working longer than necessary and will actually cost you money, especially if you forget to reset the thermostat settings to an energy-saver mode.

The best advice is to program your thermostat at a set level and leave your system on, even when you’re out of the house for the day. For most people, a comfortable, yet energy-efficient temperature ranges between 76-79 degrees.

If you haven’t done so already, you should consider upgrading to a wireless smart thermostat. This lets you view and change temperature settings, check indoor humidity levels, and more, all from your smartphone. You can even receive alerts when you’re away from home to let you know if there has been a sudden or drastic change in temperature or humidity that could indicate an equipment breakdown.

Other Suggestions for Summer Savings

Here are five more tips to help keep your electric bills from getting out of control during the summer.

1. Use a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan can make a room feel cooler just by moving air around. Think about the wind chill effect we feel over the winter. The same principle applies, only in reverse, during the summer heat. So, when you use a ceiling fan together with air conditioning, you can set your thermostat higher than you normally would. The average ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a light bulb, so you can run one for just pennies a day.
2. Clear the way. Keep the area around your outdoor condenser free of debris and trim any foliage back at least two feet from your condenser. This allows your condenser to “breathe” and operate more efficiently.
3. Clean or change your air filter regularly. This can increase your air conditioner’s efficiency by as much as 10-15% and increase the lifespan of your system. If you had a tune-up done this year, we started you off with a clean filter. Check it a few times during the summer and clean/replace as necessary.
4. Get annual A/C service. Don’t skip your annual cooling tune-up. It will keep your A/C running at its best and may help you avoid costly repairs.
5. Have a plan. Keeping your A/C system running efficiently and trouble-free are among the many benefits of having an Air Conditioning Service Plan or Heat Pump Service Plan.

Air Conditioning Installation in PA, NJ and DE

If you feel your cooling system won’t hold up for another hot summer, a new, high-efficiency air conditioner can save you 20% or more on your annual cooling expenses.

That’s enough to offset the cost of a new A/C unit in a short period of time, especially when you take advantage of manufacturer’s rebates , 0% financing opportunities, federal tax credits and other incentives that could save you thousands of dollars.

Reach out to us today and request a free estimate.