Written on: April 12, 2021
The weather is finally warming up for spring and it’s hard to believe, but summer is right around the corner. As we move on from the chilly New York winter we just got through, many people think it’s fine to move on from their thermostat as well. The reality is, however, that your thermostat deserves your attention year-round, especially if you’d like to see 10%—or more—in savings every month! And when you use your thermostat properly, you’ll also be putting less overall stress on your home comfort system, which translates to fewer repairs over time.
It’s a little-known fact, but many people don’t deal with their thermostat because they’re not entirely sure how to use it. But if you learn how to use your thermostat properly, which really only takes a few minutes, it can really pay off. In fact, accurate and effective use of a smart, programmable thermostat could mean that the device pays for itself within the first year!
Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind for your thermostat as the weather warms up.
Understand Your Thermostat. Whether you have a manual thermostat or a programmable smart thermostat that you can adjust remotely, it’s important to know its capabilities. If you have a programmable one, you can adjust the settings based on different modes. You might have a seven-day setting, where you can change the times your system goes on and off every day of the week.
You also might have another type, whether it allows for one setting during the week and one setting on the weekends, or three possible time-and-temperature combinations—one during the week, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Think About Your Schedule. If your thermostat allows (and most do), customize the settings based on how your day flows. Think about when you wake up, when you go to bed, and when you come and go during the day and evening.
Set your temperatures with these tips from the U.S. Department of Energy. During the warmer months, set your AC for 78°F when you’re home and awake. Set it to turn off during times when you’re out. (When the temperatures drop, set your AC for 68°F for times when you’re home and awake, and then allow the temperature in the house to dip by 7 to 10° when you’re not home or asleep.)
Have your thermostat adjust about 20 to 30 minutes before you head out. For nighttime AC (and heating) needs, program your thermostat to adjust the temperature about an hour before bedtime.
When you need equipment installations, repairs, and more, turn to Hometowne Energy. Contact us today at any of our four locations: Brockport, NY; Newark, NY; Penn Yan, NY; or Rochester, NY!