With cooling season around the corner, it’s time to start the transition from heating to cooling your home. Here’s how to get your thermostat and home prepared for the coming change in weather and temperature:
Switch to a Programmable Thermostat
Are you still using a basic digital thermostat that you have to adjust manually? If so, you can make comfort control more convenient by upgrading to a programmable model. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), a properly-used programmable thermostat can also trim your HVAC-related energy bills by up to 10 percent annually. Just be sure to choose a thermostat model that’s compatible with your HVAC system, and your family’s usual weekday and weekend schedule.
Prime Your Thermostat for Savings and Comfort
The DOE recommends programming the thermostat with different temperature settings when you’re usually at home and active, and when everyone is sleeping or the house isn’t occupied. A single-degree temperature increase for eight hours a day equates to a one-percent drop in energy consumption, so the potential savings can add up quickly. Here’s how to maximize your savings without sacrificing comfort:
- When you’re home and need cooling, set the temperature to 78°F.
- When you’re normally away or sleeping, set it at 85°F.
- Experiment with raising the temperature as high as comfortably possible during your chosen setback periods. Don’t make big adjustments — raise the temperature in one- or two-degree increments only so you don’t overwork your cooling equipment.
- Set your ceiling fans so the blades are turning counter-clockwise and run them only when a room is occupied. The cooling effect of the air movement the fan creates should allow you to comfortably raise the thermostat’s temperature setting by about four degrees.
- On cooler spring nights, put the HVAC system on “fan only,” open the windows and run your bedroom ceiling fans. Just be sure to shut the windows and pull the blinds each morning as the weather gets warmer.
For expert help getting your Dayton home and thermostat ready for the coming cooling season, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
