WeldAt Affordable Heating & Air Conditioning, we often see homeowners struggling with inconsistent comfort and rising energy bills—many times due to simple thermostat misuse. You may not realize it, but the way you use your thermostat can significantly affect your home’s comfort, your air conditioning system’s performance, and your monthly utility costs.
Let’s talk about the difference the right thermostat settings can make and how a few smart habits can go a long way.
The Cost of Constant Thermostat Changes
It’s tempting to adjust your thermostat every time the temperature feels slightly off, but doing so can do more harm than good. Frequent temperature changes force your HVAC system to cycle on and off more often, leading to increased wear and tear. That’s like revving your car engine all day—it’s inefficient and shortens the lifespan of the equipment.
Another common mistake is setting the thermostat to an extreme low when you come home to a warm house. Contrary to popular belief, this won’t cool your home any faster. Your AC will simply run longer, not more intensely, which uses more energy and stresses your system.
What’s the Best Thermostat Setting for Summer?
For optimal cooling and energy efficiency, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F when you’re at home during the summer. This strikes a comfortable balance between cooling and cost savings.
When you’re away, raise the temperature to 85°F or higher. This helps minimize energy waste while keeping the interior from getting excessively hot. The goal is to reduce the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, which lowers your overall cooling load.
Why Smart Thermostat Practices Matter
At Affordable Heating & Air Conditioning, we install and support programmable and smart thermostats because they help take the guesswork out of energy efficiency. These devices allow you to set schedules based on your daily routine, ensuring your home stays comfortable when you’re there and saves energy when you’re not.
Here are a few best practices to follow:
- Use Setback Periods: Program your thermostat to adjust temperatures during times when you’re asleep or away from home.
- Avoid Manual Overrides: Let your thermostat’s schedule do the work to prevent unnecessary system cycling.
- Don’t Set It Lower Than Needed: Setting your thermostat to 65°F won’t cool your home faster than if it’s set at 72°F. It only increases energy use.
- Use “Hold” Sparingly: Vacation mode or temporary holds are fine, but constant use defeats the purpose of a programmable schedule.
Comfort Without Compromise
When your thermostat is set and used correctly, your system runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and keeps your family comfortable throughout the hottest months. Plus, with a smart thermostat, you gain the added convenience of controlling your settings remotely—perfect for surprise heatwaves or schedule changes.
Let the Experts Help
Not sure if your thermostat is working with you or against you? The team at Affordable Heating & Air Conditioning can help you select and install a thermostat that fits your lifestyle and your home’s HVAC system. We’ll also show you how to use it for the best results—because comfort shouldn’t come at the cost of high energy bills.
Where quality and integrity meet… it’s not cheap, it’s Affordable.