Programming Your Thermostat For Vacations

If you have one last vacation planned for the summer or are getting away for a long Labor Day weekend, save some money on your energy bills by programming your thermostat accordingly. While you are away, there is no reason to pay for your home to be cooled to the same comfort level you would expect while your home is occupied. While you may not want to turn the HVAC system all the way off, you should at least raise the temperature a few degrees. 

Where Should You Set Your Thermostat?

While you are away, you want to save on your energy bills. However, you should still keep your home cooled to a reasonable level. Allowing it to get too hot can destroy items in the house, plus make it expensive to cool down when you get back. A good rule of thumb is to set it between 3-6 degrees above your normal setting. This will save on energy while still keeping your home reasonably cool. 

The same is true for winter vacations, in the opposite direction. During the winter, set your thermostat about four degrees below your normal setting while away for heat pumps. For gas furnaces, you can go a little lower, up to eight degrees since they can heat a home back up to temperature quickly and efficiently. 

By raising or lowering your thermostat during your vacation, you can save a bundle off your energy bills while keeping your home at a safe, moderate temperature. This will ensure that when you return your home will be able to return to your normal settings quickly and efficiently. For those with programmable thermostats featuring smartphone applications, consider changing your temperature setting back to normal a few hours before you get home.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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