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US Department of Energy’s Thermostat Tips and Advice

Written by Comfort Solutions HVAC on . Posted in .

Your Easton, PA Home Comfort Specialists Offer a Quick Rundown

According to the Energy Information Administration, heating and cooling costs contribute about 48% to the overall energy bills in most American homes. However, with the right thermostat controls, it is quite easy to achieve energy efficiency along with sizeable savings on your energy bills. In fact, the US Department of Energy suggests that you can save as much as 10% on your energy bills, if you set back your thermostat by 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit below its normal settings, for 8 hours each day. 

The experts at Comfort Solutions HVAC provide a quick rundown on the US Department of Energy’s thermostat-related suggestions. 

Top Thermostat Tips to Save Money and Energy

  • Use Smart Thermostats: Smart thermostats are here to stay, and if you are still using a manual version, it is time to consider investing in a more technologically advanced one. A programmable, virtually controllable device will address your energy usage and efficiency, without compromising your comfort. From adjusting the ‘on’ and ‘off’ timings, to pre-scheduling temperatures, you can get your smart thermostat to do all the work while you enjoy lower energy bills and a greener footprint. Moreover, smart thermostats will return the increased or set back temperatures to normal before you wake up or return home; a convenience that you cannot enjoy with manual devices.
  • Thermostat Operations: The best way to optimize your energy utilization is by minimizing the difference between your indoor temperature settings and the actual outdoor temperatures. 
  • In summer, try to set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, only when you are at home. If you are away, bring up the temperature as much as possible, without letting the space become uncomfortably warm by the time you return. You may also want to consider other ways to keep your home cool, without turning up the AC.
  • Similarly, in winter, set the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit when at home and lower the temperature while sleeping, or if the home is unoccupied. As a general rule of thumb, you could set your thermostat to 61 degrees Fahrenheit while sleeping, 70 degrees Fahrenheit when just sitting around, reading or watching TV, and 68 degrees Fahrenheit while working around the house. 
  • When Not to Adjust Thermostat Settings: Although turning up or setting back thermostat settings may save you money, it is not always advisable to do so. For example, setting back the thermostat for a heat pump when it is on the heating mode may cause the pump to operate inefficiently. Essentially, that will nullify any energy savings that you otherwise get from lowering your temperature settings. Similarly, do not set back the thermostat for your steam heating or radiant floor heating systems, as that could interfere with their efficiency and not give you any actual savings.
  • Location of your Thermostat: Although seemingly insignificant, the location of your thermostat may have a huge impact on your energy bills. For example, if your thermostat sits right above an air vent, near a heat lamp or fireplace, or in an area that receives direct sunlight, it could skew the readings considerably. In fact, your thermostat could misinterpret the actual internal temperature and fail to heat or cool your space sufficiently. 

At Comfort Solutions HVAC, we have a range of non-programmable, as well as smart thermostats that can help you maximize the potential of your heating and cooling systems, and keep your energy bills low. Our experienced technicians provide skilled installation and repairs, and are committed to optimizing your comfort and energy savings.

For a new thermostat purchase, installation or repairs, call Comfort Solutions HVAC at 610-438-9300, or contact us online.