![\"thermostat-hand-78\"](\"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Thermostat-78-300x201.jpg\")
Energy costs are always high in the middle of summer when you have a central air conditioner. While it may seem there\u2019s little you can do to control costs, we have a couple of ideas. First, it\u2019s important to see that your air conditioner gets regular maintenance, appointments for a tune-up with a trained technician each and every year. You\u2019ll also need to change the filter once a month.<\/p>\n
The rest is a job for the whole family. Finding an efficient thermostat setting can greatly reduce air conditioning costs, but it may take some time at first. See what we mean below, and call our air conditioning contractors in Scotch Plains to learn more!<\/p>\n
First things first: if you\u2019ve got a thermostat you cannot program in advance, we think it\u2019s time for an upgrade. It\u2019s definitely worth a change if you\u2019ve got one that requires the turn of a dial or movement or a switch to line up to just the right temperature. You\u2019re likely often a bit off target, which can hike up your bills in unexpected ways.<\/p>\n
Even many digital thermostats are not programmable. Keep in mind that changing out your thermostat means you should enlist the help of a professional. While it may seem like a DIY project, there are many things that can go wrong!<\/p>\n
Now comes the part that sounds the easiest but may be the most difficult, depending on the size of your family. You should all come to a decision about what makes for a comfortable thermostat setting that will help with the household budget.<\/p>\n
In the summer, we\u2019ve found that many people are setting their thermostats far lower than is necessary. You may think that setting it down to 65\u00b0 will cool the home faster, but this just isn\u2019t true! You only end up wasting money by running the AC for longer <\/em>(not at a higher speed).<\/p>\n Find a temperature that everyone in the home can live with: the warmest temperature at which everyone feels comfortable. We\u2019ve found that many families can live with a setting of 78\u00b0 or 77\u00b0F, although this varies when you have small children or elderly relatives at home.<\/p>\n Now comes a part that many programmable thermostat owners have not spent much time on: becoming familiar with the options on your thermostat. It may seem difficult, but your technician can help you understand your thermostat a bit more during installation or at a routine visit. Otherwise, find your manual by searching for the model number of the thermostat online.<\/p>\n Once you know how to set the thermostat in advance, it\u2019s time to put in your schedule. The goal is to keep the thermostat going at an efficient, comfortable temperature while you are home and to raise it when you leave. Most experts recommend raising the temperature by about 10\u00b0 when you are away or asleep.<\/p>\nLearn How to Use It<\/h2>\n