If you’re taking a vacation or looking for a way to lower your energy bills during Buford’s long cooling season, make sure to include the thermostat in your plans. Are you wondering if you should turn your air conditioner off when you aren’t home? Read on to learn what our air conditioning contractors recommend.
Raising the Temperature vs. Shutting Down Your Air Conditioner
Shutting down your air conditioner when you leave seems like an easy way to save money and prevent the system from working more than it has to, but in nearly every situation, raising the temperature is a better solution. With your air conditioner off, damaging humidity builds up indoors, and the air becomes stagnant and musty. Plus, the unit will work harder to cool your home when you return, which could lead to a breakdown that requires a call to your air conditioning service.
Vacation and Away Thermostat Settings for Maximum Savings
For maximum savings, select an away temperature between 82 and 88 degrees. Choose a number that’s 7 to 10 degrees higher than your normal at-home setting. If you’re running a quick errand, you don’t need to adjust the thermostat before you leave. For maximum savings, each setback period should last at least eight hours. According to Energy Star, setbacks in this range can reduce your cooling bills by 10 percent. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, it’s easy to override your schedule using the system’s vacation or hold feature. You can also set the thermostat to begin cooling your home before you return.
More Ways to Save
The right thermostat settings can help you save a bundle this summer whether you’ll be gone for a day or a few weeks. For more ways to lower your energy bills, check out our air conditioning services online, or call Pruitt Heating & Air, Inc. at 770-450-6001 to speak with a contractor.
