Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer and Winter: Save Energy & Stay Comfortable

We want everything at once: comfort and savings going hand by hand. And that’s possible! Get both perks of thermostats by adjusting its work. In this article we share recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter, so these seasons won’t leave you bankrupt while keeping your home comfortable. Reach us at (669) 666-9219 or support@fuseservice.com and install a device that gives you access to the most efficient thermostat settings.

Ideal Thermostat Settings for Summer to Save Money

Summer is a season of boiling hot days, when you’d prefer to go to the beach instead of sitting at home with sweating and overheating. But with energy efficient thermostat settings, the ocean probably won’t see you for a while. In addition, your energy bill will be protected from scary big numbers. 

Basically, your thermostat regulates the indoor air temperature by switching on and off your HVAC system. Whenever the air inside isn’t as hot or cool as you want this small device automatically sends signals to the system. Therefore, there are some thermostat settings that will influence the way it perform significantly. The best temperature during the summer season, is about 78°F when you’re chilling at home, so it’s perfectly cool. Of course, it might seem tempting to lower the temperature faster if you came into fully heated space, but this will inevitably lead to higher energy bills. In fact, when you’re away, you’d better raise the temperature set to 85°F. Your AC won’t run unnecessarily, but at the same time, there won’t be a heat buildup that takes ages to get rid of. 

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Winter for Comfort and Savings

When winter falls, we crave for warmth without additional costs. Of course, you can have a billion plaids and sweaters on you, but it’s barely convenient to walk around in such an outfit. However, you can set your thermostat to chill down. The best heat temperature for energy saving is around 68°F during the day when you’re home. However, as a trusted HVAC contractor, we recommend you lower the temperature by 7–10 degrees when you’re asleep or away. It’ll both improve your sleep quality and significantly reduce heating costs. This is the best thermostat temperature to balance between comfort and savings.

Energy Saving Thermostat Settings That Actually Work

The key to the shortened energy bills is consistency in your energy saving thermostat settings. Here is a table with our suggestions on how to set your thermostat depending on your schedule. 

How Smart Thermostats Help with Efficient Thermostat Settings

Smart thermostats got their name for a reason. The technology is designed to learn your schedule and adjust settings to achieve maximum comfort and efficiency.

Benefits include:

• Remote control via smartphone.
• Energy usage reports to track savings.
• Automatic adjustments for the energy efficient thermostat settings.

Adjusting Thermostat Settings for Different Homes & Lifestyles

Of course, every household has unique needs. There are some customization recommendations on how to set your thermostat depending on who is living inside:

• Families with kids. Slightly warmer settings of your HVAC system in summer and, on the other hand, slightly cooler in winter, can help children feel better.
• Elderly residents. Take care of their health by setting temperatures 1-2 degrees higher during both seasons.
• Empty homes during the day. Rely on setback temperatures to avoid wasting energy.

Common Mistakes with Thermostat Setting You Should Avoid

1. Constantly adjusting the thermostat makes your system work harder.
2. Setting extreme temperatures trying to cool or heat faster doesn’t actually speed things up, but increases energy bills.
3. Ignoring maintenance can result into dirty filters, in turn they make your system less efficient.
4. Forgetting about humidity, since it makes air feel hotter even at the same temperature.

Avoid these mistakes and you’ll have the perfect thermostat settings to save money.

How Optimal Thermostat Settings Lower Your Energy Bill

So, after all, how does a thermostat lower utility bills? Simply, with the right settings you’ll use less energy to heat or cool air inside your home, when you don’t need it at full power. Hence, the prices are lower, while you still can enjoy a comfortable indoor temperature. At that point a programmable thermostat can save homeowners up to 10% annually on energy costs. Such thermostats can pay out themselves pretty soon and all you have to do is just make a perfect schedule. You can get all of these with a reliable AC installation company.

FAQs

What should I set my thermostat to in summer for energy efficiency?

It’s proven that the most energy-effective settings are 78°F when you’re at home and 85°F when away.

What is the ideal thermostat setting in winter to save money?

If you want to keep your energy bill short, set your thermostat to 68°F during the day and 58°F–61°F at night or away. These settings are the best for both comfort and safety as well.

How to set the thermostat to save money without losing comfort?

We addressed this question to our top HVAC expert:

The easiest way to save money with a thermostat is to program it to automatically adjust when you’re away. You’ll have both comfort free from headache to always remember to set new settings and some energy savings on a perfect schedule. 

– Tony, HVAC installer

Are smart thermostats worth it for energy efficient thermostat settings?

We bet they are! Smart thermostats have a learning ability, so without your help they know when you’re away and adjust temperature to shorten your energy bill. It’s calculated that such a thermostat can save up to 10% on energy yearly.

Should I lower the thermostat at night or when away from home?

Yes. Not only lower temperature at night helps you sleep better, but it’s also the first and the easiest step to make savings on energy bills.