As the summertime heat returns, it feels pleasant for the first few days. Then, as soon as the humidity and sweat become obvious, our home comfort system gets switched to the cooling function. Every summer, homeowners wrestle with the question of where to set the air conditioner’s thermostat. There seems to be a constant tug of war between achieving a cool indoor temperature and saving money on the increased energy bill. Actually, it doesn’t have to be that way.
The Two Essential Goals
You should be setting your thermostat with two goals in mind. The first is setting it at a temperature that is comfortable for your entire family. If the temperature is too hot and your family is miserable, it defeats the whole purpose of having a central air conditioning unit.
Your second goal is picking a temperature that doesn’t have your cooling system constantly running. We all know that constant operation of any equipment requires a lot of energy. More energy expended means more money out of your wallet each month. It also means more wear and tear on the system.
Your Ideal At-Home and Away-From-Home Temperatures
One of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck from your home air conditioning unit is to utilize a programmable thermostat. If you don’t have one already, it’s highly advisable that you purchase one. This device can save you a bundle in energy costs.
Home air conditioning experts recommend setting your at-home temperature to 78 degrees. It’s advisable to start at this temperature and see how your family feels. You may need to decrease the temperature by a degree or two until you hit a level that’s comfortable for your whole family. Just remember that a setting below 72 degrees can actually freeze up the system.
When you know that no one is going to be in the house, you should switch your thermostat to 10 degrees above your ideal at-home temperature. This will allow your air conditioning unit to work less when you’re not there. Keeping it within 10 degrees of your ideal at-home temperature ensures that your AC can return to it within an hour or so when you’re on the way back.
Trustworthy AC Expertise
Our team at Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp. provides sound advice and outstanding HVAC services to people throughout the Midlothian area. If you need maintenance, repair, or installation for your heating or cooling equipment, turn to us. We also provide indoor air quality assessments, water heater repair, and installation and sheet metal fabrication. For any of those options, give us a call today.