Everyone’s always looking to save money on their utility bills, but it turns out there’s a way to do it when you aren’t even home.

It starts with your thermostat. By using automatic schedules, you can structure its daily schedule around your personal preferences. That means you can have different temperature settings for when you’re at home, away or even when you’re sleeping.

By trying a few of these schedules, you can enjoy comfy temperatures while also keeping more of your money. Take a look at a few ways your thermostat doesn’t have to use up all your summer spending money:

While at Home

When you’re home, you want a nice range of pleasant temperatures. That’s why it’s best to set your thermostat lower in the summer while you are in the house to make the most of the cool air.

But in terms of energy efficiency, the best range for when you’re in your home during the summer is actually around 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. With this adjustment, you’ll keep cool while keeping your energy bill more manageable.

While Out of the House

When it comes to setting the temperature for a vacation or other trip away from the house, it’s extremely common to move the thermostat higher than normal.

For some homes, you can set the thermostat to higher temperatures like 88 degrees while no one is home before lowering it back to the sweet spot of 78-80 degrees when you or a family member return. This way, your air conditioning unit won’t be working overtime to keep an empty house cool.

While Sleeping

For a full night’s rest during summer weather, you want your thermostat set at a comfortable temperature. A good rule of thumb is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s less risk of getting too hot or too cold at some point overnight.

Other Strategies for Lowering Energy Use:

  • Smart thermostat installation: Switching to a smart thermostat in the summer is an excellent way to reduce energy costs since it can plan your temperature adjustments according to your lifestyle and idea of what comfortable is. They can lower the temperature while you are home or sleeping, while allowing it to warm up when the house is empty. With models like the Lennox iComfort, you have the ability to remotely access and change the temperature through your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Requesting smart thermostat installation in your Morgantown home is an effortless way to set the correct temperature whether you’re at home or across the country.
  • Replace current equipment with a newer HVAC system: A new HVAC system saves money right from the start. By investing in a more energy-efficient system, lower utility bills won’t be far behind since it requires less energy to heat and cool your home. Air conditioning installation in Morgantown is only a phone call away, so don’t hesitate to reach out to local pros like Mountain Air who can set you up for success.
  • Stay on top of routine AC maintenance: Whether or not you keep up with regular air conditioning maintenance in Morgantown can have a significant impact on your utility bills. With regular cleaning of the coils, checking for damage and clearing air vents of dust and debris, this can help your HVAC system run more efficiently. More efficient operation reduces strain on key parts and lowers operational costs, leading to lower energy usage, which translates into lower energy bills.
  • Clean or replace the air filter on a regular basis: Regularly changing the air filters in your HVAC system saves money by keeping airflow as smooth and consistent as possible. When filters are old and less effective, air conditioners have to work harder, and this greater strain could shorten the system’s life span and result in breakdowns.
  • Confirm your attic is sufficiently insulated: Insulation is a crucial component for any energy-efficient home, securing the hot air outside and the cool air inside during the summer. The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) offers an official recommendation stating homeowners in souther states should have at least 13-14 inches of insulation, while colder climates do better with 16-18 inches.
  • Check your air ducts: A leak in the air ducts could increase your energy bills much more than 20 percent, plus it can affect equipment such as your water heater, clothes dryer and other appliances throughout your home. Watching for signs of leaks and sealing them can help with both these issues.
  • Seal all other leaky spots in your home: Sealing up other leaks in your home with caulk, foam sealant or weather-stripping helps keep things cooler during those hot summer days. Don’t forget to check for any gaps around windows, doors and even outdoor fixtures. Making time to seal leaks now can help you save a lot over time.