Don’t Overwork Your Thermostat

By adjusting your thermostat to a warmer setting during the hot summer and a cooler setting during the cold winter months, you could save up to $180 per year!

• Did you know that by adjusting your thermostat just one degree, your family can save as much as 3% on your home’s heating and cooling costs? Imagine how much money could be saved in an entire year with this small change.
• For maximum savings, set your thermostat at or below 70°F during the day and 65°F at night in winter months. In the summer, set your air conditioner at or above 78°F during the day and 80°F at night.
• Make sure all the windows and doors in your house are closed before turning on either the furnace or air conditioner. More energy is spent on heating and cooling our homes than anything else.
• Can you feel or hear the wind coming in through your windows or doors, even when they are shut? If you can feel a draft, use rope caulk or weather stripping to prevent air from coming in or going out.
• Make the most out of the air in your house by installing a fan. In the summer months, the fan should spin counter-clockwise to keep you cool. In the winter, put it in reverse and spin the fan to the right. And don’t forget to turn it off when you leave the room! A fan cooling the air for an empty room is only wasting precious resources.
• Keep the vents in your home clear. It costs less energy to get warm or cool air into a room when the vents are not blocked.
• Change the air filters in your home once a month to keep your heating and cooling systems running at their most efficient levels. Neglecting this necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning and heater performance while energy use steadily increases.
• Landscape your yard with shade trees. Save 10% or more on your energy bill and contribute to better air quality. Shade trees are both a beautiful and cost-effective way to lower your energy use.