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.

The secret is your thermostat. By learning more about its special features and settings, 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.

If you’re willing to make these adjustments, 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

Pretty much whenever you’re home, you want a nice range of pleasant temperatures. For the most part, you probably have your thermostat lower in the summer while you are in the house to appreciate the cool air.

But the ideal temperature for the summer is actually around 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This way, you’ll avoid the worst of summer while still keeping your energy bills low.

While Out of the House

When setting the temperature for when you are out of the house in summer, the majority of homeowners will set the thermostat higher for while they’re gone.

If your home is located somewhere a little cooler, 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 system isn’t working around the clock to keep an empty house cool.

While Sleeping

To enjoy a good night’s sleep during the summer, you want a nice cool temperature. A great place to start is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s less risk of getting too hot or too cold while you’re trying to sleep.

Additional Ways to Reduce Energy Use:

  • Put in a smart thermostat: Using a smart thermostat in the summer is an excellent way to reduce energy costs by automatically adjusting to your lifestyle and personal preferences. They can lower the temperature while you are home or sleeping, before allowing it to get warmer when the house is empty. With models like the Lennox iComfort, you can adjust the temperature remotely through your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Planning smart thermostat installation in your Manassas home can be the simplest strategy for maintaining comfortable, yet energy-efficient temperatures whether you’re at home or across the country.
  • Update your existing 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 Manassas is only a phone call away, so don’t hesitate to reach out to local pros like Fire & Ice HVAC 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 Manassas can have a significant impact on your utility bills. If you stay on top of cleaning key components like the coils, checking for damage and clearing ventilation 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, resulting in lower energy usage and subsequently, smaller bills.
  • Replace your air filter regularly: Regularly changing the air filters in your HVAC system saves money by improving airflow. When filters become clogged, air conditioners have to work harder, and the added strain may impact the system’s life span and lead to breakdowns.
  • Confirm your attic is sufficiently insulated: Insulation is one of the key components in any energy-efficient home, keeping the hot air outside and the cool air inside through summer. The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) suggests that homeowners living in southern climates should install at least 13-14 inches of insulation, while those in northern U.S. states should have 16-18 inches.
  • Inspect your ventilation: 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 to get into the atmosphere of your home. Finding any leaks fast and sealing them can help with both these issues.
  • Seal all other leaky spots in your home: Finding and sealing any remaining leaks in your home with caulk, foam sealant or weather-stripping helps keep things cooler during those hot summer days. You should also check for any gaps around windows, doors and even outdoor fixtures. Taking the time to seal up any leaks now can help you save a lot in the long term.