Staying Cool at a Cost
Summers in South Florida can be brutal. Not only do the temperatures frequently reach into the three digits, but the overwhelming humidity can make everything feel so much worse. Keeping your Florida home cool is vital if you want to remain comfortable. Your first instinct may be to set your HVAC system to arctic-level temperatures. Not only is that not helpful, but it could also end up being costly and inefficient.
Ideally, you want to set your air conditioner to a temperature that makes the air in your home comfortable for all but that doesn’t end up costing you hundreds of dollars on energy bills. You can reach out to the air conditioning repair contractors at USA Air Conditioning Services for detailed information about the ideal air conditioning unit and AC settings for your home this summer. In the meantime, the information below can get you started.
It’s Your Choice
At the end of the day, the temperature that you use for the inside of your home is about what feels most comfortable to you. One family may be very satisfied with a thermostat setting of 75°F, while another may not be content with a thermostat set at anywhere above 68°F. Find your own magic number. People can make recommendations, but you need to know that you and your family are happy with the temperature setting that you choose or else everyone will be miserable. No amount of money saved would be worth it.
Raising the Thermostat Saves You Money
Every degree you raise your thermostat above Florida’s set temperature of 75°F will save you roughly 2% on your monthly electric bill. Raising the thermostat a bit during the day if no one is around can save you money. You can then lower it again in the evening.
A Programmable Thermostat Can Help You Save Even More
A programmable thermostat can make all the difference in how much money you spend on AC during the summer. You can program it so that the air conditioner is off during certain hours and on during others. You program the unit based on the times of the day and night that you and your family are in or out of the home.
For instance, you can set the temperature in the house to be at its highest point during the day when you’re not home. You can then set it to start to cool down as you and your family return. Some people like to raise the thermostat a bit during overnight hours since body heat tends to lower during those hours. Ultimately, you should base the temp you set the thermostat at on your family’s personal preferences. This helps you manage the amount of time that the AC is on so that you can keep a closer eye on your overall electric bill.
Older AC Units Have to Work Harder
The age and condition of your air conditioner will also affect how you use it during the day. If you have an older unit, it’s going to expend a lot more energy to keep your house cool. This may mean that you need to turn the thermostat lower or keep the AC on for longer periods to get maximum comfort.
If you’re intent on saving money but are unclear as to how to set your thermostat for maximum comfort and maximum savings, call in professional help. Reach out to the experts at USA Air Conditioning Services at 866-983-0488 so that they can come out, assess your AC and help you set up an energy expenditure plan for the summer that works for your family’s comfort and your wallet.
