There are numerous ways you can help your AC and furnace run more efficiently, including regularly changing the filter, getting consistent professional HVAC maintenance, and doing more substantial home improvements like replacing windows and adding insulation to the attic. But there’s one small component of your heating and air conditioning system in Loganville, GA, that often gets overlooked: your thermostat. Here are some thermostat considerations to think about that can help you save money on your cooling and heating bill.
Fan Settings
The difference between the heat and cool setting on a thermostat is obvious, but the different fan settings are a little less intuitive. Most basic thermostats have a fan setting of “auto” or “on.” When the fan is turned to the auto setting, it runs intermittently, like when the AC or furnace runs. If you turn the fan to “on,” it will run constantly, even when the HVAC system isn’t running.
While this can help circulate air throughout the home better, it’s not always best for energy efficiency or for the health of your HVAC system. It can actually increase humidity in your home because the condensation doesn’t have as much time to exit the system when the fan is constantly running. That means your AC will work harder and you may need more frequent air conditioning repair.
An alternative option to running your fan constantly is to utilize ceiling fans to keep air moving through your home. Just make sure you change which direction the fan is moving between summer and winter months.
Temperature Settings
Choosing the right temperature setting is where things can get a bit trickier. Raising the thermostat by one degree in the summer or lowering it by one degree in the winter can help you save 1% on your energy bill. While this may not sound like much, most people could still be comfortable if they made the change by 5 to 10 degrees. Changing your settings by this much could save between 5% and 15% on your yearly heating and cooling bill.
During the winter, it’s generally recommended that you keep the thermostat set at 68 degrees for maximum energy efficiency without giving up comfort. The air conditioner setting is most efficient at about 78 degrees. However, you can boost energy savings even more by using the program setting on your thermostat to raise or lower the temperature when you’re sleeping or not at home.
Changing the temperature by 10 degrees during the night, or for about 8 hours, can save you at least 10% per year, regardless of what temperature setting you use. As long as you change it by 10 degrees for at least eight hours, you should enjoy a 10% savings. When you’re not going to be home, you can save money by keeping the AC set at 85 degrees or the furnace at 58 degrees.
Smart Thermostats
Another thermostat consideration to think about is high-tech programmable or smart thermostats. A programmable thermostat allows you to choose what the temperature is set at throughout the day. This is good if you have a fairly set routine and know what your specific heating and cooling needs are. A smart thermostat actually learns your habits for more efficient cooling and heating, and you can control it from anywhere with your phone.
To learn more about thermostat settings and other options for more energy-efficient air conditioning in Loganville, GA, contact Triad Mechanical today.