Summer in St. Louis is knocking on the door, which means time to get ready for those warm rays of sunshine, BBQs, pool time, and running your air conditioner all day long. Before you start to shudder thinking of the energy costs that come with the extended use of your air conditioner though, let us give you a few pointers on how to adjust your thermostat just a bit in order to see significant savings in your energy bills. In this article, we will explore that as well as a few other tips on keeping your St. Louis home cooler without putting much more responsibility on your HVAC system.
For more information on how to best adjust your thermostat for summer to enjoy savings while still having comfort, give us a call. At Galmiche & Sons, we have been making providing expert heating & air conditioning services our first priority, along with top customer service, since we first opened our doors in 1950.
It’s Summer – Time to Adjust That Thermostat
In winter, the advice we often get is to adjust the thermostat a few degrees lower and pop on a sweater. In summer, similar advice can apply in adjusting your thermostat a few degrees higher. It is an easy action you can take and allows you to see significant savings.
The goal of adjusting your thermostat is to reduce the temperature difference between the outside and inside because each degree of temperature difference means a reduction in the total cooling load. For example, let’s say its 91° outside and 71° inside – that is a 15° temperature difference. By adjusting the thermostat by even just 2° lowers that difference significantly when you consider the proportion. Bear in mind that these higher temperatures are usually just during certain periods of the day as well, when the sun is at its highest. Further, the period in terms of months requiring air conditioning is condensed when you consider for example, the average temperature of the late spring compared to early summer and then take mid-summer into view.
Adjusting your thermostat just a few degrees higher means St. Louis homeowners could see a significant shift in their energy usage and cost over the duration of the time you might use your air conditioning.
Other Ways to Keep Your Home Cool During Summer
Now that you have adjusted your thermostat, here are a few other ways you can keep your home cool during summer, reducing the strain on your air conditioner as well as the energy cost associated with it:
- Close the curtains and draw the shades on windows that receive a lot of sun, especially during late morning to early afternoon when the sun is at its peak.
- Open windows at night if the outdoor temperatures allow, and give your air conditioner a break overnight.
- Use fans to create cooling breezes around your home. Also, make sure your ceiling fans are adjusted for summer!
- Check and seal air leakages to make sure your air conditioner is not working to cool the outside. From poorly insulated windows to attics and more, air leaks mean money leaks when it comes to your energy bills.
Learn More About Adjusting Your Thermostat for Summer Savings
If you would like more information on how to adjust your thermostat for summer energy savings, or would like to know more about smart thermostats and how they can lower your energy costs, call Galmiche & Sons today. heating & air conditioning is our passion and we would love to take care of your comfort needs.
