When the summer months arrive, your cooling system naturally works harder to keep your space comfortable. However, that increased demand often leads to higher energy bills, especially if you’re constantly adjusting your thermostat or setting it lower than it needs to be.

Staying cool shouldn’t have to mean sacrificing your budget. With a few strategic adjustments, you can keep your indoor climate at a refreshing level while keeping your costs low.  

Below, we’ll cover the thermostat settings and usage strategies that can help reduce energy bills during the summer.

The Recommended Temperature Setting During Summer

In the summer, the Department of Energy recommends keeping your thermostat at 78°F while you are home. This specific benchmark strikes the ideal balance between indoor comfort and manageable power consumption. 

If that temperature setting feels a bit too warm, you may lower the temperature gradually to let your body adjust. However, keep in mind that every single degree you drop below 78°F forces your cooling system to work harder, spiking your monthly expenses. 

You can make adjustments to your thermostat settings depending on your schedule in order to reduce energy bills. The key is knowing which temperature changes to make, when to make them, and how those adjustments affect your cooling costs.

How Temperature Adjustments Save Money

Small thermostat adjustments can yield measurable savings in the summer:

• The 8-Hour Rule: Turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for just eight hours a day (like when you're at work) can slash your cooling costs by roughly 10%.

• The Per-Degree Payoff: On average, each degree you raise your thermostat saves you about 3% on your utility bills.

Programmable and Smart Thermostats Make a Difference

You can do more to reduce energy bills in the summer than simply adjusting your AC's temperature. The key to achieving maximum savings is removing the need for manual adjustments.

Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat

Manual thermostats require you to adjust the temperature constantly. Most homeowners, however, find this impractical when schedules change or if they leave home.

Programmable thermostats solve this problem by allowing you to pre-set a schedule based on your routine. You can program the system to run cooler when you’re home and awake, and automatically scale back when you leave for work or go to sleep. This approach eliminates the daily chore of remembering to adjust the dial.

Use Smart Thermostats

Smart, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats take climate control to the next level. They connect directly to your smartphone, tablet, or computer, allowing you to make adjustments from anywhere in the world.

Even better, advanced models can learn your patterns and adjust settings based on your habits and preferences. Doing so can cut your HVAC operating costs by up to 20%. This makes them an exceptional tool for business owners managing multiple commercial properties.

Complementary Strategies for Maximum Energy Savings

Using strategic thermostat settings and advanced tools can be made more effective when paired with other effective HVAC practices, such as:

• Cleaning or replacing your AC filters every one to two months during the cooling season. A clean filter lets your system operate efficiently.

• Scheduling a yearly check-up with an HVAC technician to ensure your air conditioning is properly sized and functioning at peak performance.

• Sealing gaps around windows and doors, where conditioned air escapes.

• Closing blinds during daytime hours, and opening windows during cooler periods when the outside temperature drops below your indoor setting.

• Avoiding heat-producing tasks like laundry, baking, or stovetop cooking during the hottest parts of the day.

• Using your ceiling fan in conjunction with your AC, running it counter-clockwise to create a downdraft that circulates conditioned air more efficiently without overworking your system.

Find the Right Control System for Your Needs with Value Controls

Whether you're replacing an aging thermostat or building a custom energy management solution, you need a partner who understands HVAC systems. Value Controls specializes in new and used HVAC controls, so you can find the right equipment at a price that makes sense for your budget.

Our expert team of technicians provides responsive support, answering your questions about system programming and technical specifications directly. Unlike many suppliers who focus purely on transactions, Value Controls treats your needs as our team's priority.

Don't let another season of high energy bills pass you by. Browse our inventory of thermostats and find the options that can help you reduce energy bills this summer. Reach out any time and our expert technicians will be happy to help.

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Thermostat Settings

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