Arizona has some of the highest energy bills in the United States. While most of this expenditure is in the summertime, there are some steps you can take to reduce your output in the winter and make up for the other months of the year. This week, we are going to take a look at three small changes to your thermostat use that could make a big difference to your utility bills!

 

Set Fan to Auto 

Thermostats have “auto” and “on” switches that control your HVACs fan. Having it set to “on” means the fan is running constantly, even when the furnace kicks off! Not only does this increase energy usage, but you’re actually blowing cool air throughout the home. During the winter, that is the exact opposite of what you want to happen. Instead, set your thermostat’s fan to “auto” so that it only runs during heating cycles.  

 

Keep it Low

It can be tempting to crank up your thermostat and keep it high all throughout the day and at night, but resist the urge. Strategically adjusting your temperatures can actually save a lot of energy. For example, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees for only 8 hours a day can save you 5 to 15% on your energy consumption. Try setting that temperature for times when everyone is asleep or when everyone is out of the house for the day. This way, you won’t be wasting money heating an empty home. 

 

Upgrade Your Thermostat

The most effective way to save on energy bills with your thermostat is to toss it in the trash and get a programmable one. Simply set the temperature to adjust at certain times throughout the day, as mentioned above. Except this time, you don’t have to manually change it. A huge benefit of this is that you can program the thermostat to start warming up your home shortly before you wake up or get home from work. That way, you aren’t waking up to or walking into a cold home.

 

Thermostats are a great tool to use in managing the temperature of your home. By following the tips above, you can use them to effectively reduce your winter energy consumption and save on your utility bills. If you’re still experiencing high bills, your HVAC system may need repair. In that case, contact the professionals at McMillin Air for an inspection right away!