We all know how hot Texas can get in the summer. The sweltering heat is enough to get anyone running indoors for the cool relief air conditioning gives us. But are you setting your air conditioner at the right temperature to not only keep you cool but also be energy-efficient and keep those electric bills down?

Let’s take a look at some statistics and find out how your habits stack up.

Surveys have shown that during the summer months, 50% of Texans keep their thermostats set at somewhere between 70-75 degrees which is nice and cool but it can be costing you too much money. Based on recommendations by the U.S. Department of Energy 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer are the ideal settings to keep you both comfortable and energy-efficient. If you want to save even more on your energy bills, dial the temperature back even a couple more degrees while you sleep for maximum savings.

An easy way to make sure you are always on track is by using a programmable thermostat. These efficient and handy devices allow you to adjust your cooling (and heating) schedule all with a pre-set schedule. In the Summer, you can save money (for other fun activities!) by setting your temperature higher when you’re not home. In the Spring and Fall, we can find ourselves using both air conditioning and heat in the same day. By programming this auto change over, you’re avoiding using the ‘maximum demand’ needed in a manual change over. The best part? They store multiple settings, which are easily overridden, when you need to adjust the ambient temperature based on your activity.

Energy Efficient & Money Saving

By setting your thermostat up just 7-10 degrees for 8 hours per day, you can save you as much as 10% annually on your energy bill. For instance, if you are going to be at work, there is no need to keep your air conditioning set cooler than need be. With a programmable thermostat, you can set it higher during the time you are away and since it’s fully programmable, you can pre-set it to drop the temperature say 30 minutes before you get home so that your house is nice and cool when you arrive. The same applies to when you are asleep. Set it higher at bedtime and have it kick in at a cooler temperature just before you get up. This strategy is effective during winter months as well, and only requires a couple of minutes of your time to re-program your thermostat when the seasons change. To maximize your efforts, the use of fans and ceiling fans for circulating air is a great way to add to a comfortable ambient temperature.

With all things considered the very best option for anyone who is energy efficiency motivated is to install a programmable thermostat. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and come with a variety of options. You can even control some models when away from home with your phone! How great is that?

Texas Ace Heating & Air, serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, can get you set up with a programmable thermostat in no time. Give us a call at 817-240-6701 or contact us to find out more about your options and get ready for a cool, comfortable summer!