These settings should provide a comfortable environment within the home. Each degree higher than 68°-70°F can increase heating costs by 1-3%, and each degree below 76°-78°F can increase cooling costs by 3-5% or more. Also keep lamps, TVs or other heat sources away from the air conditioner thermostat. Heat from these devices may make the air conditioner run longer and harder than necessary.
Turning the thermostat up and down during the different parts of the day does not save energy. Instead it makes the system work harder and uses more energy because it does not properly remove the moisture and humidity like it should. Extended periods of excess condensation will eventually lead to mildew and mold issues.
To make control of the thermostat easier, a programmable thermostat is recommended. A programmable thermostat allows you to program the temperature of the house and then leave the thermostat alone for the rest of the heating or cooling season. This allows you to save energy without waking up to a cold house in winter or coming home to an overheated house in the summer. To decide the best thermostat for your needs, Mr. Refrigeration can help you decide on the best thermostat that will meet your individual needs. If you have a heat pump system, please check with us or with the manufacturers guidelines for purchasing a programmable thermostat. An improperly used or mismatched thermostat can actually increase heat pump operating costs by increasing reliance on the more expensive back-up heating elements.