When the mercury rises, your air conditioner is your best friend. But the question is whether you are using your thermostat in a way that allows it to function optimally. It might sound surprisingly simple, but moving the needle on those numbers, even just a few degrees, can make a big difference to your overall comfort, how much energy you’re consuming and even the life span of your AC. It’s time to check into some smart thermostat tactics to help ensure your cooling system works optimally and your home’s temperature is just right.

Find Your Sweet Spot

While you want your AC to run, you don’t want to constantly max it out. The key to that balance is setting your thermostat correctly. In the heat of summer, some of us are tempted to crank our AC way up to cool our homes fast. However, doing that often puts stress on the equipment because it works harder than necessary. This can also result in excessive cycling. All this short cycling is bad for the life expectancy of your AC, and it definitely doesn’t do any favors for your power bill, either. Instead, focus on your comfort while minimizing stress on your system.

During the day, it’s a good idea to set the temperature at around 75-78 degrees F. This is a good range for providing adequate cooling without overworking your HVAC equipment.

The Secret to Maintaining Consistent Temperatures in the Home

Continuously changing the settings on your thermostat throughout the day makes your system work harder to reach each of these targets. Maintaining a steady temperature while you’re home means your AC runs more at the same pace, and that is usually more energy-efficient and gentler on the system. It takes less energy to maintain a steady 76 F than it does to push the needle down to 72 F and then turn around and set it at 78 F again.

Nighttime Thoughts

When you sleep, your body temperature naturally decreases, and you are probably under blankets. That means that you can set your thermostat a little warmer at night and can still stay comfortable. Even boosting the thermostat a few degrees, like to 78 to 82 F while you sleep, can result in enough energy savings overall to justify the adjustment. Not to mention, warm temperatures may induce better sleep in some people. This is great for your comfort and your wallet.

Smart Thermostats: Your Friend Indeed

If you’d like even more control over your comfort (and another relatively easy way to be energy-efficient), try a smart thermostat. These gadgets learn your habits and preferences and can automatically change the temperature depending on your schedule. Some even come with features that can recognize when you’re not home and will adjust the temperature accordingly so that you’re not trying to cool an empty house.

In addition to following these thermostat tips, make sure you also schedule annual maintenance for your HVAC equipment. This will make certain that everything is running at peak performance. And if problems are lurking beneath the surface, technicians can address those as well. For additional help with thermostat settings or maintenance for your HVAC equipment in Tualatin, OR, reach out to Sky Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical.