Fluctuating temperatures in Chester County, Montgomery County and Delaware County pit homeowners against their thermostats as they battle to maintain comfortable homes. But frequently adjusting your thermostat creates energy inefficiencies and yields unnecessary costs.
So, what should you do to enable your thermostat to maximize HVAC system efficiency, reduce energy usage and cut costs?
Read our helpful tips to maximize home comfort without straining your heating and cooling system.

Actively Manage Thermostat Settings To Save

• Summertime heat doesn’t require ice-cold settings in order for you to stay comfortable. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees for cool air. Keeping your air conditioner at 78 degrees instead of 72 saves up to 39 percent on cooling costs. If you leave the house, raise the temperature by 10 degrees to shut off the air conditioner and conserve energy.
• In the winter, take it easy on your furnace. Set your thermostat to 68 degrees. For every degree below 70, you save 3 percent on your heating bill. If you go on vacation, do not shut your heater off completely. This leads to pipes freezing and bursting.
• When you return home after an absence, gradually increase or reduce thermostat settings. Erratic changes in temperature erase any energy savings gained through proper programming.
• Instead of changing thermostat temperatures on a whim or simply keeping them the same all day, try to match the indoor temperature to within a few degrees of the outdoor temperature.

Bonus Tips: Some Thermostats Make Programming Easy

• The easiest way to maintain consistent home temperatures is to install a programmable thermostat. This way, your HVAC system operates on a timer for predetermined temperatures.
• Smart thermostats take home energy efficiency to another level. They learn from chosen temperatures, adjust automatically and develop personalized heating and cooling schedules. With a smart thermostat, if you’re practicing the energy-saving tips above, you never have to worry about programming.

The key to energy efficiency is using only what you need. Not only does this enable you to save on energy costs, but you also promote a healthier environment.
When all else fails, contact your HVAC technician for help programming your thermostat. Setting up a service plan with your HVAC system provider allows you to maintain energy efficiency through seasonal transition periods.