Do you have a summer vacation planned for the near future? There’s no better way to relax and unwind than by taking a vacation. Before hitting the road, however, you should set your thermostat. Making just a few minor adjustments to your thermostat can reduce your home’s energy usage and save you money – all while maintaining a comfortable climate inside your home.
Set the Fan to AUTO
Make sure the fan is set to AUTO. Most thermostats have an AUTO and an ON setting for the fan. The fan, of course, is the blower in your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. When running, it will force air through the ductwork.
The ON setting means that the fan will run constantly, regardless of whether your air conditioning system is running. If your air conditioning system is running, the fan will force cool and conditioned air through the ductwork. If your air conditioning system isn’t running, the fan will force room-temperature air through the ductwork. The AUTO setting, on the other hand, means the fan will only run when your air conditioning system is running.
If you’re going on a summer vacation, you won’t need the fan to run indefinitely. Setting the fan to ON is a waste of energy and a waste of money. Instead, choose the AUTO setting until you return home.
Raise the Temperature 5 to 10 Degrees
You should raise the temperature on your thermostat by about 5 to 10 degrees. If you typically keep your home at 72 degrees, for instance, you should raise the temperature to 77 to 82 degrees.
Some homeowners may turn off their air conditioning system completely while away on vacation, believing there’s no point in cooling their home if it’s unoccupied. If your air conditioning system never turns on, though, your home will inevitably get hot and humid.
Running your air conditioning system while you are away on vacation will keep your home’s temperature and humidity level in check. Your home won’t become blistering hot, nor will it become excessively humid.
Raising the temperature to 5 to 10 degrees higher than what you typically prefer is a good balance. With a higher temperature, your air conditioning system will run less frequently while you are on vacation. As the temperature in your home creeps up, though, your air conditioning system will turn so that it doesn’t get too hot or humid.
