Your thermostat is probably one of the most important gadgets in your life. It helps you keep your house at a comfortable temperature around the year, which can help you stay healthy and even save you money on energy bills in the process. However, thermostats aren’t simple machines, so you may not know how to use it to get the best value out of your HVAC system. Thankfully, there are a few simple steps you can take to get the most out of your thermostat and find the best settings for your Vacaville home.
Choose an Optimal Temperature
This step is important because it sets the foundation for your thermostat. Many experts suggest that setting your thermostat around 78 degrees Fahrenheit during summer and between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit in winter is ideal for most homes. However, the optimal temperature may vary depending on the size of your home, how many people are living in it, and what type of climate you live in.
To get started, set your thermostat to the midpoint of 68-72 degrees and adjust it as needed. You may find that you need to make minor tweaks throughout the year depending on the season. If, for instance, you live in a colder climate and find that your home is too cold at 68 degrees in the winter, try raising it to 70 or 72.
Consider the Recommended Temperature Settings
During summer, to reduce energy costs and get the most out of your device, you can keep it at 76 degrees when you’re at home and around 84 degrees when you’re away.
During winter, keep your thermostat set between 68 and 70 degrees when you’re awake, especially if you have children or elderly people living in your home. At night, you can lower the temperature to anywhere between 63 and 65 degrees to save on your energy bill.
It can be challenging to set your home temperature accurately during spring and fall because the weather is constantly changing, and you may need to adjust your thermostat often. Nonetheless, if the temperature is generally high, you can set it to around 76 degrees when you’re at home. When you’re away, you can raise it to 78 degrees or switch off the device altogether.
Regardless of the season, it may be worth changing the temperature slowly. For example, if you normally keep your thermostat set at 73 during the warmer months, try setting it to 74 for a few days and working your way up once get used to the new setting.
Try Changing the Temperature by 8 Degrees
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by simply changing your temperature by 7°-10°F for about eight hours each day from its normal setting. This simple step can help reduce wear and tear on your HVAC system while helping you save money in the long run on HVAC repairs in the process. For instance, if 68-72 degrees is your normal wintertime setting, then try reducing it by 8 degrees when you’re away from the house or asleep. This can help keep your home comfortable while saving you money on energy bills.
Besides these key thermostat settings, there are a few other considerations you can make to get the most out of your device.
Don’t Forget To Adjust the Temperature Based on Your Routine
Your daily routine also plays a role in finding the best settings for your thermostat. If you know when you’re going to be home and when you’ll be away, adjusting your device accordingly can help save energy and money. When you’re away, make sure it’s set to a temperature that will use less energy (higher temperatures during summer; lower ones during winter).
Create Temperature Zones
Another way to get the most out of your thermostat is by creating temperature zones throughout your house by investing in dampers for your HVAC system. This means that certain rooms or areas will be set to different temperatures depending on how often they are used and what activities take place in them. For example, if you have a home office that gets used frequently for work or hobbies, it may need to be kept at a warmer temperature than the bedrooms and other areas of your house where you don’t spend as much time.
Program Your Thermostat
Today’s thermostats come with programming capabilities that allow you to set the optimal temperature for your home year-round instead of having to adjust it manually each time you get uncomfortable. For instance, you can set your device to lower the temperature at night when you’re sleeping and then raise it in the morning before you wake up.
How Do You Know If You’re Saving Energy?
The most effective way to know if you’re saving energy is to monitor your energy bills. Compare how much electricity was used during the same period in previous years and look for a noticeable decrease in usage. If your energy bill is significantly lower than it was before, then you can be sure that you’ve set up your thermostat correctly and are saving energy. Secondly, look for any unexpected changes in temperatures throughout your home. Last but not least, pay attention to any noises coming from your air conditioning system. If you can hear anything like rattling or buzzing, then it could be a sign of an issue with your HVAC system which could require a maintenance service or repair, and it may not be saving energy; it might be time to get in touch with a professional technician.
The Importance of a Professional Technician
Sometimes, trying to get the right thermostat settings and save on energy costs can be tricky. That’s why it’s important to consider hiring a professional technician to inspect your HVAC system and make sure that everything is running smoothly. They can help you adjust the temperature settings as well as identify any problems that may cause your device to use more energy than necessary. Sometimes, even a minor issue can lead to a significant increase in your energy bills, so it’s always best to get your system checked regularly. Lastly, professional technicians can help you create temperature zones and program your device so that it will run efficiently all year round.
Overall, getting the right settings for your thermostat is essential if you want to reduce your energy costs and maintain an optimal temperature in your home year-round. However, the key is to find a balance between comfort and savings. With the right settings and some simple tips, you can make sure that your device runs smoothly while keeping energy costs low.
If you’re unsure of which settings are best for your thermostat or have any other questions about your HVAC system, contact Cozy Home Services today! We also offer plumbing repairs, heating and cooling repairs and installation, and water filtration system services in Vacaville. Our team of experienced technicians is here to help you get the most out of your HVAC system and save on energy costs.
