Your thermostat is not simply a switch to activate your AC or furnace. It's the command center for your home's comfort and, more importantly, an energy bill control powerhouse. Most homeowners think the secret to efficiency is to set their thermostat at a single temperature and forget it. True, that sounds like a "set it and forget it" fix, but it tends to result in wasted energy and higher bills.
Here at Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, we believe that the secret power of your thermostat holds the key to making your heating and cooling affordable. In this guide, we're going to reveal the simple changes you can make in thermostat settings that not only keep your home comfortable but put money in your pocket.
Having your thermostat at the same temperature during the day and at night is really paying to heat or cool an empty house or a house with everybody sleeping under blankets. Your air conditioner is running all the time to maintain the unnecessary temperature for hours on end. All this wasted energy will add up real fast, especially through the extreme temperatures of a North Carolina winter or summer.
The most effective way to save energy is to reduce the load on your HVAC system during off-peak usage. That is where a programmable or smart thermostat is a very useful tool.
Newer thermostats offer the ability to program your settings to synchronize with your family schedule, so you are comfortable when you need to be and save dollars when you don't.
Even these small changes, used for just eight hours a day, will save you up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills each year.
Another simple setting that makes a gargantuan difference in cost-effective heating and cooling is the fan control. Two controls are available on your thermostat for the fan:
The following is a easy-to-follow guide for homeowners in Raleigh who want comfort without spending a fortune when it comes to cooling and heating.
While these are general guidelines, the most critical thing is to determine a comfortable schedule that suits your feelings. The closer you can get to the recommended settings, the more you will save.
While your thermostat is powerful, it cannot fix an inherently inefficient heating and cooling system. To tackle a whole-house approach to cheap heating and cooling, professional help is priceless.
The U.S. Department of Energy states that you can save up to 10% of your annual heating and cooling costs by simply reducing your thermostat setting by 7-10°F for 8 hours per day. Savings can be enormous in the long run and can often pay for the smart thermostat itself.
It is more energy-efficient to turn off your AC or raise the temperature when you leave. It wastes energy to cool an unoccupied house. Raising the temperature 7-10 degrees and leaving the AC on, though, is still preferable to turning it off entirely because it takes less energy to retain heat at a higher temperature than to cool a heated house from zero.
Yes. Manual thermostats are not as accurate and don't allow for programmed settings. Upgrading them to a digital or smart thermostat offers more control and a clear path to energy savings.
Yes! Ceiling fans do not cool the air but do create a sensation of coolness on your skin because of a wind-chill effect. By using a fan, you can typically set your thermostat several degrees higher and still feel comfortable, which is a great money-saver.
The biggest mistake is setting the temperature to a very low or high temperature to cool or heat a home faster. Your system works at the same speed regardless of the set temperature. This only causes your system to work harder and can lead to more wear and tear.
Your thermostat is a small but powerful piece of hardware. With some smart adjustments, you can unlock its full power for seriously cheap heating and cooling. If you want to replace your thermostat or would like help in getting your HVAC system as efficient as it possibly can be, the experts at Ultra Air Heating & Cooling are ready and waiting.
Don't leave your thermostat's hidden potential untapped. Call us today for a free consultation at (919) 348-9399.
Here at Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, we believe that the secret power of your thermostat holds the key to making your heating and cooling affordable. In this guide, we're going to reveal the simple changes you can make in thermostat settings that not only keep your home comfortable but put money in your pocket.
The "Set It and Forget It" Myth
Having your thermostat at the same temperature during the day and at night is really paying to heat or cool an empty house or a house with everybody sleeping under blankets. Your air conditioner is running all the time to maintain the unnecessary temperature for hours on end. All this wasted energy will add up real fast, especially through the extreme temperatures of a North Carolina winter or summer.
The most effective way to save energy is to reduce the load on your HVAC system during off-peak usage. That is where a programmable or smart thermostat is a very useful tool.
The Utility of Programmable and Smart Thermostats
Newer thermostats offer the ability to program your settings to synchronize with your family schedule, so you are comfortable when you need to be and save dollars when you don't.
- Summer Savings: The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping your thermostat at 78°F when you are home during summer. When away at work, running errands, or on vacation, keep the temperature 7-10°F higher. A smart thermostat can even use geofencing and adjust the temperature automatically whether you are in or out, so you'll never have to worry about doing it yourself.
- Winter Savings: At home, you should have your thermostat set to 68°F in the winter. You can set it back 7-10°F when you are sleeping or away from home. The rationale is simple: the lower indoor temperature slows the rate of heat loss from your home so that your furnace doesn't have to work as hard to maintain the same temperature.
Even these small changes, used for just eight hours a day, will save you up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills each year.
The "Auto" Fan Setting
Another simple setting that makes a gargantuan difference in cost-effective heating and cooling is the fan control. Two controls are available on your thermostat for the fan:
- ON: The fan runs continuously, whether heating or cooling is turned on or off. This is a waste of energy and normally not necessary.
- AUTO: The fan will blow only when the system is both heating or cooling. This produces the most energy-saving efficiency and is usually best for most homes. Keeping the fan set at "auto" can save you in electricity and reduce the wear and tear of your blower motor.
Simple Temperature Guidelines for a Home in Raleigh
The following is a easy-to-follow guide for homeowners in Raleigh who want comfort without spending a fortune when it comes to cooling and heating.
-
Summer (Cooling):
- At home: 78°F
- Asleep: 75°F (a lower temperature can be beneficial for sleep)
- Away: 85°F
-
Winter (Heating):
- At home: 68°F
- Asleep: 60-62°F (snuggle up with additional blankets!)
- Away: 60°F
While these are general guidelines, the most critical thing is to determine a comfortable schedule that suits your feelings. The closer you can get to the recommended settings, the more you will save.
Beyond the Thermostat: Professional Secrets to Saving
While your thermostat is powerful, it cannot fix an inherently inefficient heating and cooling system. To tackle a whole-house approach to cheap heating and cooling, professional help is priceless.
- Proper Placement: The location of your thermostat is critical. If it’s in direct sunlight, near a vent, or close to a heat source, it will get a false reading, causing your system to run inefficiently. Our technicians can advise on the best placement for accurate temperature readings.
- Regular Maintenance: A plugged filter, grimy coils, or low refrigerant level will cause your system to work harder, which defeats the purpose of your thermostat controls. An annual tune-up will have your system spick and span.
- System Sizing and Health: An oversized or undersized HVAC system will never truly be efficient, no matter how you configure the thermostat. If your home system is antiquated, a new correctly sized high-efficiency system can provide the maximum possible savings on your utility bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much money can a smart thermostat truly save me?
The U.S. Department of Energy states that you can save up to 10% of your annual heating and cooling costs by simply reducing your thermostat setting by 7-10°F for 8 hours per day. Savings can be enormous in the long run and can often pay for the smart thermostat itself.
2. Do I turn off my AC when I'm away or run it on a higher setting?
It is more energy-efficient to turn off your AC or raise the temperature when you leave. It wastes energy to cool an unoccupied house. Raising the temperature 7-10 degrees and leaving the AC on, though, is still preferable to turning it off entirely because it takes less energy to retain heat at a higher temperature than to cool a heated house from zero.
3. Will a digital thermostat save me money over an old manual one?
Yes. Manual thermostats are not as accurate and don't allow for programmed settings. Upgrading them to a digital or smart thermostat offers more control and a clear path to energy savings.
4. Do I use my ceiling fan with my AC?
Yes! Ceiling fans do not cool the air but do create a sensation of coolness on your skin because of a wind-chill effect. By using a fan, you can typically set your thermostat several degrees higher and still feel comfortable, which is a great money-saver.
5. What is the most prevalent error made with their thermostat?
The biggest mistake is setting the temperature to a very low or high temperature to cool or heat a home faster. Your system works at the same speed regardless of the set temperature. This only causes your system to work harder and can lead to more wear and tear.
Master Your Thermostat. Master Your Savings.
Your thermostat is a small but powerful piece of hardware. With some smart adjustments, you can unlock its full power for seriously cheap heating and cooling. If you want to replace your thermostat or would like help in getting your HVAC system as efficient as it possibly can be, the experts at Ultra Air Heating & Cooling are ready and waiting.
Don't leave your thermostat's hidden potential untapped. Call us today for a free consultation at (919) 348-9399.