Everyone’s always looking to save money on their utility bills, but it turns out there’s a way to lower energy use, even when you’re not even home.

The key is your thermostat. By making the most out of your thermostat, you can structure its daily schedule around your personal preferences. That means you can have different temperature settings for when you’re home, away or even when you’re sleeping.

With a few simple adjustments, you have more time to enjoy pleasant temperatures while keeping more money in your pocket. Here are some 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 if you’re indoors to make the most of the cool air.

But the ideal temperature for when you’re in your home during the summer is actually around 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. By adjusting things a few degrees, you’ll keep cool while keeping your energy bill more manageable.

While Out of the House

When setting the temperature for whenever you’re gone, the majority of homeowners will set the thermostat higher for while they’re gone.

If your home is in a shady spot in a cooler climate, you can set the thermostat to temperatures as high as 88 degrees while no one is home before you adjust it back to the sweet spot of 78-80 degrees after you return. This way, your air conditioning unit won’t be working overtime to keep an empty house cool.

While Asleep

When it comes to sleeping in the summer, you want a nice cool temperature. A great place to start is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. You won’t have to worry about getting too hot or too cold at some point overnight.

Additional Ways to Reduce Energy Use:

  • Install a smart thermostat: Switching to a smart thermostat in the summer can lower energy costs by automatically adjusting to your lifestyle and home environment. A smart thermostat manages the temperature if you are home or sleeping, before allowing it to warm up when no one is home. Using reputed brands and models such as 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 Plover home can be the simplest strategy for maintaining comfortable, yet energy-efficient temperatures whether you’re at home or across the country.
  • Replace current equipment with a newer HVAC system: A high-efficiency HVAC system is another great option for long-term energy savings. If a system boasts high energy efficiency, you can also count on lower utility bills since more efficient equipment requires less energy to reach your preferred temperatures. Air conditioning installation in Plover is a great way to beat the heat in the summer.
  • Keep up with AC maintenance: Investing in or ignoring regular air conditioning maintenance in Plover can have a significant impact on your utility bills. With regular cleaning of the coils, checking for damage and keeping vents clear of dust and debris, this can help your HVAC system run more efficiently. Increasing efficiency also limits strain on important or delicate components and lowers operational costs, lowering total energy use and eventually the total monthly bill.
  • Clean or replace the air filter on a regular basis: A regular schedule for cleaning or replacing the HVAC system’s air filter saves money by keeping airflow as smooth and consistent as possible. When filters become clogged, an AC unit has to work harder, and the strain can reduce the system’s life span and lead to breakdowns.
  • Confirm your attic is sufficiently insulated: Insulation is a vital part of maintaining an energy-efficient home, securing the hot air outside and the cool air inside during the summer. The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) recommends that homes in the southern United States should have at least 13-14 inches of insulation, while colder climates do better with 16-18 inches.
  • Review your ductwork: Leaky ductwork can raise 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. Finding any leaks fast and sealing them can fix both of those problems.
  • Seal all other leaky spots in your home: Sealing leaky spots 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 run.