Lower A-C Costs

July 23, 2019
Lower A-C Costs Feature Image

The U.S. Department of Energy says you can save 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day. According to a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, nearly 90% of Americans say they’ve rarely (or never) programmed their thermostat because they’re not sure how to do it. But it’s really not that hard, and it’s definitely worth doing because it can save at least 10% a year on heating and cooling costs.

Below are four types of programmable options, choose which is best for you.

7-day programming.
Best for individuals or families with erratic schedules, since this is the most flexible option. It lets you program a different heating/cooling schedule for each day of the week.
5-1-1 programming.One heating/cooling schedule for the week, plus you can schedule a different heating/cooling plan for Saturday and Sunday.
5-2 programming.
Same as 5-1-1 programming, except Saturday and Sunday will have the same heating/cooling plan.
1-week programming.You can only set one heating/cooling plan that will be repeated daily for the entire week.

Here are a few programming timing tips that can help you create the best set-it-and-forget-it cooling schedule for your home:

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  • For the hours you’re home, program A-C to 78°F.
  • Program it to be warmer than usual when you’re out of the house.
  • Shut down A-C 20 to 30 minutes before you leave home each day.
  • Turn on A-C 20 to 30 minutes before you come home each day.
  • Reduce the cooling 60 minutes before you go to sleep each night.
  • Increase cooling about 30 minutes before you wake up each morning.
  • Spend time tweaking your program for a few days to make sure it feels right.
Metro Electric is your go-to for all your home electrical installations. Find out how you can bundle service installs to get the most for your dollar! Schedule your service request today.
TIP: With a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, you can control your home’s temperature while on the go. That way, you’re not wasting energy if you’re running late or forgot to create a new program before going on vacation.