In this article…
- Does Setting the Thermostat at 78℉ Really Help Lower Energy Bills?
- Smart Thermostats to Help Save Energy
- Additional Ways to Conserve Energy and Save Money This Summer
- Saving Money and Staying Cool All Summer Long
When temperatures start to hit the upper 90s to triple digits, the last thing you want is for your AC to go out. But, you also don’t want to compromise comfort and want your home to be a cool, safe space to take shelter from the heat.
How do you reach this balance? By setting your thermostat at the proper temperature to stay comfortable without overworking your AC unit.
It’s typical to associate higher temperatures with higher energy bills, which is why you want to know the optimal temperature to set your thermostat to save money.
Maybe you’ve always kept your thermostat high during the summer, or maybe this is the first summer you’ve decided to try bumping the temperature up a few degrees.
No matter your position, you want to know if setting your thermostat at 78℉ actually saves you money during the summer.
At Wright Home Services, we’re here for all of your comfort needs, from replacing your AC system to simple seasonal tune-ups to educating you on all you need to know to keep you and your family comfortable during the peak summer season.
We understand the need to be cool, but also the desire to save money and energy to keep bills as low as possible (because we’re San Antonio homeowners too).
This article will detail why 78℉ is the ideal temperature to set your thermostat to during the summer, how much it can help save on energy bills, risks of overworking your AC unit, and more.
Does Setting the Thermostat at 78℉ Really Help Lower Energy Bills?
Finding the ideal temperature for your home during triple-digit temps can be a struggle. You want to be comfortable, but you don’t want to overwork your HVAC system and end up with no air conditioning.
78℉ is a good rule-of-thumb to keep your thermostat set to, especially when you aren’t home. But this might not be ideal for every home.
In fact, setting your thermostat back 8-10 degrees for at least eight hours a day can save up to 10% on your energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
This means that if you typically like your home on the cooler side while sleeping, say 68℉, even setting the thermostat at 75-76℉ during the day can help you save.
Think of it this way. For every one degree higher that you set your thermostat, you save roughly 1-3% on energy costs.
The Best Times To Up Your Thermostat
For some, 78℉ may be the norm in your household. For others, this is new, warmer territory you’re stepping into.
If you aren’t exactly sure when to raise your home’s temperature but want to be as effective as possible, here are some of the best times:
- When you’re away: Whether it’s during working hours or for a long weekend, raising the temperature when you aren’t home will help save energy without you even noticing.
- While you’re sleeping: Because cooler temps roll around once the sun goes down, raising your thermostat before you go to bed will help (without you feeling the sudden effects of warmer temperatures).
- When you’re home: If you work from home or spend the majority of your time at home, finding times to raise the temperature that fit into your schedule will continue to help save energy.
Adjusting your home’s temperature really depends on your schedule and what works best for you. Whether it’s bumping up the thermostat before heading out the door, going to bed, or even first thing in the morning, every little bit can help.
Smart Thermostats to Help Save Energy
One of the best (and most helpful) ways to conserve energy through your HVAC system this summer is by investing in a smart programmable thermostat.
Smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature of your home, or even specific rooms, with a simple touch of a button on your smartphone.
These thermostats not only allow you to control your home’s temperature from the palm of your hand, but you can also monitor your home’s indoor air quality, track energy usage, and set up a cooling schedule that fits your needs.
Some smart thermostats also allow you to set up a geo-fence, so when you leave or enter the geo-fence surrounding your home, your thermostat will change accordingly, which can help save on energy and improve comfort.
Investing in an ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostat can actually save you around 8% on energy bills, or up to $50 annually.
Overall, if you’re looking to lower your energy usage this summer, upgrading your old HVAC system with a new, energy-efficient system and smart thermostat combo can help keep you cool while also lowering your energy bills, allowing your investment to pay off.
Read more about the benefits of investing in a smart thermostat!
Additional Ways to Conserve Energy and Save Money This Summer
While raising your thermostat and potentially investing in a smart thermostat are two great ways to save energy (and money) this summer, there are many other simple things you can do to help keep your home cool.
Here are seven more tips to help keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the summer.
- Keep curtains closed during the heat of the day or in rooms with direct sunlight
- Run ceiling fans counterclockwise to push cool air down and allow for better circulation
- Try cooking outdoors when possible to minimize excess heat in the home
- Insulate around any doors or windows with cracked or poor insulation
- Ensure bathroom fans are running when taking hot showers
- Replace air filters to ensure optimal AC performance
- Schedule AC maintenance
Anyway you can insulate your home, improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, or use less heat in your home will help maintain the temperature and lower your energy consumption.
Saving Money and Staying Cool All Summer Long
Now you know why 78℉ is the widely recommended temperature to set your thermostat to during the summer and how much it can potentially save you in energy bills.
Even during triple-digit days, upping the temperature on your thermostat is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save energy and money.
Increasing the temperature, even just by a few degrees, for 8-10 hours a day, can yield significant energy savings and also help relieve your HVAC system from working too hard.
One of the largest benefits of increasing your thermostat temperature is to take the strain off your AC when outdoor temperatures are at their highest.
You see, if you attempt to run your thermostat at a low temperature during the hottest times of the day, it will wear on your AC unit. The harder you push your system, especially if it is over 10 years old, the quicker it will fail, potentially leaving you with no cool air when you need it most.
In fact, replacing your old HVAC system will save even more on energy bills in the long run than continuously repairing and trying your best to conserve energy in other ways.
Has your current AC not been handling the heat? Have you been looking into replacing your system and want to know if it’s worth it?
To ensure you make the right decision regarding your home’s comfort, you want to know how a new HVAC system will save you in the long run and how much it’s going to cost.
Check out this article that details how much a new HVAC system can save in annual and lifetime energy bills, when it’s worth it (and not worth it) to replace your system, and more.
Ready to Upgrade Your HVAC System With a Company You Can Trust?
Wright Home Services offers high-quality, energy-efficient, and affordable HVAC systems for every San Antonio home.
We offer numerous monthly payment options to allow you to choose the best system to meet your comfort needs without compromising your budget.
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