One issue you have to deal with when living in Maryland is high temperatures and oppressive humidity throughout much of the summer. The hot, humid climate can present major challenges when it comes to maintaining a comfortable home environment, especially in terms of your energy bills. The temperature that you set your thermostat to directly plays a role in how high your energy bills are and how comfortable your home feels. In this article, we’ll give you tips on how to set your thermostat to prevent your cooling bills from being unnecessarily high without sacrificing your comfort.
Best Thermostat Settings for Summer
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping your thermostat set to 78 degrees whenever you’re home and awake during the summer. While some may find that 78 degrees is perfectly fine, a large percentage of people will feel that it’s simply too warm. If you keep your thermostat set that high, you can also encounter issues with your AC not running enough to manage the indoor humidity level, which can potentially lead to mold growth within the house.
In truth, the temperature you set your thermostat to is a matter of personal preference. That said, if you’re looking to avoid overly high energy bills throughout the summer, you really shouldn’t set your thermostat lower than 73 to 74 degrees.
If you normally set your thermostat to 72 degrees, you’ll lower your cooling costs by 1-3% on average for every degree higher you set it. Even if you only turn it up a few degrees, you can still save a decent amount of money. Setting your thermostat higher also reduces wear and tear on your HVAC system, which can help reduce repair needs and allow it to last longer.
The Importance of Setting Back Your Thermostat
The one thing you shouldn’t do is set your thermostat to the same temperature all the time. There’s really no point in cooling your home as much when no one is there or when everyone is in bed sleeping. By manually turning up the temperature during these times or, better yet, programming your thermostat so that the temperature changes automatically, you can avoid unnecessary energy waste and keep your cooling costs lower.
In the past, the general recommendation was to set the thermostat back (turn the temperature up) by 7 to 10 degrees during the day and at night. However, this recommendation comes from a time when HVAC systems were far less efficient and used much more energy compared to modern systems. Nowadays, most experts recommend only setting back your thermostat by 3 to 5 degrees.
If you turn the temperature up too much, your air conditioning may have to run constantly for at least a few hours before your house is finally cool again. This can sometimes cancel out the energy savings you gained by turning the temperature up or potentially even lead to the system using more energy overall.
If you normally keep the temperature set to 78 degrees, you generally don’t want to set it any higher than 80 degrees during the day. If you do, it can lead to your house getting so humid that it still feels much too warm even after your AC has cooled it back down to the normal temperature.
Why a Smart Thermostat Is a Worthwhile Investment
If your home has an outdated manual or programmable thermostat, it’s well worth the investment to replace it with a smart thermostat. The best smart thermostats have been independently shown to reduce how much the average household’s HVAC system runs by around 8-12%. Not only will a smart thermostat lower your cooling (and heating) bills, but it also allows you to adjust the temperature and control your HVAC system remotely using an app.
Farnen & Dermer, our 5th-generation, family-owned and -operated company has been serving Baltimore County and the surrounding areas for more than 100 years and is ready to ensure you enjoy effective cooling and lower energy bills this summer. Scheduling an AC maintenance service is the best way to make certain your air conditioning operates efficiently and effectively keeps your home cool. Our experienced team can service and repair all makes and models of central air conditioners and ductless mini-splits. We also offer 24/7 emergency repair services, ensuring you don’t have to wait if your AC suddenly stops working.
For the best air conditioning and thermostat services in the Baltimore County area, contact the pros at Farnen & Dermer.
