In today’s day and age, many homeowners are making a conscious effort to use less energy. This is obviously good news considering wasting energy not only drives up your monthly electricity bill but contributes to global climate change, too.
When it comes to saving energy, we can all do our part to conserve ‘ starting with our air conditioners. But, knowing how to use your air conditioner to save energy is key. Most homeowners assume that the best way to save money on cooling costs is to turn their air conditioner off when they’re not at home but is that really efficient?
Does Turning My AC Off Really Save Energy?
Put simply, yes, turning your air conditioning system off will always save you money as opposed to leaving it on. Although it may seem like a waste of energy to turn your AC on and off throughout the day, doing this will actually save you a decent amount of energy (and money!) and will help your AC function as efficiently as possible. This is especially effective if your home is equipped with. smart thermostat, and you can control your air conditioner while away from home.
On another hand, you might be facing higher energy costs when turning it back on. In reality, there’s a much better way: Turn your thermostat up instead of turning the AC completely off.
What is the best temperature to set your air conditioner on?
When you’re outside your house, we suggest turning the set temperature up 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away for the day. For example, if you’re wondering “what temperature should I set my air conditioner in the summer?”, know that the best AC temp for summer is 78 degrees for both optimal comfort and energy costs. So what temp to set your AC when away? In this case, the best option to save energy costs is to set your AC thermostat to about 85 degrees when you’re not at home to ensure that your home won’t be too hot when you return and you will be able to go back to an optimal temperature easily, without leaving the AC on all day.
When it comes to the best AC temperature, turning up the thermostat is the better option because it:
- Protects your home from mold and bugs
- Saves you money
- Keeps you comfortable
Let’s take a closer look at these benefits.
Benefits of not turning up your temperature instead of turning your AC off
Benefit #1: Turning the thermostat up protects your home from mold/bugs
Turning off your air conditioner can cause your home’s indoor humidity levels to soar. And two gross intruders who love humidity include:
- Mold
- Bugs
Benefit #2: Turning the thermostat up keeps you comfortable
No one loves coming home to a humid, stuffy house. But that’s what you’re setting yourself up for when you turn your AC completely off.
Instead, turning your air conditioner’s thermostat up 7 to 10 degrees will help manage the indoor humidity and will keep temperatures at a tolerable level.
So you can stay comfortable and save money at the same time. Which leads us to the next benefit…
Benefit #3: Turning your thermostat up saves you money
Turning up the thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for 8 or more hours a day can save you 10% on cooling costs throughout the summer.
Other Ways to Save Energy
Now these indications may vary based on your situation. Should you turn off the AC when on vacation? If you’re leaving your home for an extended period of time, your best bet will be to turn your air conditioner off. Although some homeowners find it inconvenient to return to a warm home, there are ways you can combat the heat.
- Plant strategically-placed trees and shrubs: Planting shrubs, trees and the like in strategic places can help keep your home cool throughout the day. Try planting shady trees, hedges or ivy, as all of these can help shade your home the natural way.
- Buy a fan: Although fans won’t do much to decrease the temperature of your home, they can provide ample ventilation. Increased ventilation will make your home feel significantly cooler.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat: Programmable thermostats are a great way to keep your home comfortable and save money in the process. Programmable thermostats allow you to program the settings on your thermostat ahead of time. This way, you can program your thermostat to shut off during the day and automatically turn on before you arrive back home. You’ll save energy during the day, but will still be able to retreat to a comfy home. Win-win.
Keep Cool in an Economical Way
At Performance, we are committed to providing comprehensive air conditioning services and quality products. We stocked a variety of HVAC products including programmable thermostats to keep you cool in an economical way. If you’re interested in learning more about our programmable thermostats, contact one of our friendly team members today.