No one likes to waste money, especially on energy bills. Many homeowners, in an attempt not to do that, and to save some cash, think that if they turn off their air conditioner when no one is home it’s a good idea. But that’s actually not the case.
A better idea? Raising the temperature by 8 to 10 degrees before you leave home for the day instead. And while there are several good reasons for a temperature increase versus a shutoff we will explain the three most important here today.
Keep Bugs and Mold at Bay
What’s worse than a hot, sticky home? A hot sticky home with bugs and mold. And turning off your air conditioner all day in the summer is an easy way to attract both.
The reason is that as your A/C cools your home, it is also dehumidifying it. Once it is switched off on a hot summer day the indoor humidity levels can rise to as much as 60% within an hour or so. While you don’t like humidity, know what does? Bugs and mold, so if the cycle is repeated daily they are in for a great time.
If you turn your thermostat up, instead of shutting your unit down it will kick in now and then to keep things cool and the humidity at a far more ideal 45-55%, which is a lot healthier for you and not in any way attractive to those critters you’d prefer stay away.
Keep Yourself and Your Family Comfortable
It’s been a hot and sticky commute home. What a pleasure it will be to get into a nice cool house. Except if your turn your air conditioner off all day all you are likely to return to is a warm, stuffy and humid house that will take quite a while to cool off.
By leaving the A/C on but raising the temperature by 8-10 degrees on the thermostat the temperature in your home will remain at a tolerable level so that your day ends the way you want it to; cool and comfortable.
Actually Save Money
Now here’s the great thing about turning the thermostat up instead of shutting the A/C down; doing so can save you 10% on cooling costs throughout the summer.
How? When you raise the thermostat, you decrease the difference between the outside and the inside temperatures. This lowers your AC’s workload, saving you energy.
Here’s an example of how you might raise your thermostat to save money and live more comfortably this summer
6 AM: Wake up and get ready for work.
7 AM: Raise the thermostat from 68 to 78 before leaving the house.
6 PM: Lower the temperature back to 68 when you get home.
630 PM: Pour yourself a nice cool drink and pat yourself on the back for being so A/C savvy.
Not sure that you’ll remember to adjust the thermostat every morning before you leave? Invest in a programmable thermostat to do it for you.