Does Adjusting The Thermostat Up Or Down Really Save Money?

Thermostats are basic temperature controllers that instruct your heating or cooling system when to switch on or off once your living space approaches a set temperature. You can eventually save some money on your air conditioning costs by simply adjusting your thermostat. How true is the statement above, well, we’re about to find out.

With the arrival of colder seasons in Phoenix, AZ, comes a higher heating bill. This prompts homeowners to think to themselves, “Does adjusting the thermostat up or down really save money?” Well, lowering the thermostat is often one of the main items on “how to save money on electricity bill” lists you’ll find on Google. With all that being said, is this cost-cutting measure, however, truly worthwhile? Let’s take a look.

The reward for turning down your thermostat

The fact of the matter is that lowering your thermostat to save money actually helps you cut down cost on your overall heating expense. What percentage of your income do you save? Well, this is dependent on how low you are prepared to go. If you decrease your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees for an eight-hour period, the US Department of Energy (1) estimates that you’ll save between 5 and 15% on your electricity bill. Now, if you feel eight hours might seems bit excessive, when you really stop to think about it, it really isn’t all that much.

How much cash can you save by turning down the heat? Let’s assume your monthly electricity bill is around $300. To be logical, we’ll choose a 5% savings rate in this case. If you reduced your thermostat by 8-10 degrees for eight hours, you’d save $15 per month. That would amount to saving $180 over the course of a year.

The science behind it

All through the cold season, how relatively low the interior temperature is, is a determinant of the rate of heat loss. As a result, the longer your residence is kept at a cooler temperature, the more power you save because your home has lost less energy than it would have if it were kept at a warmer temperature. In the summer time in Phoenix, Arizona, the same principle applies: a warmer interior temperature slows the passage of heat into your home, improving energy efficiency on air conditioning (2).

Dealing with a colder temperature in your home

It is easy to turn down the thermostat but dealing with a lower interior temperature can get some getting used to so we have summed up some of the ways you can keep warm in a cooler home. 

Break out the weighted blankets

As the temperatures can widely differ from the inside of your home and the outside it is not preferred, for convenience sake, to change your wardrobe everytime you want to leave or re-enter the house. Blankets are a convenient alternative to wearing a sweater and will keep you warm when you turn your thermostat down.

Draft stoppers

Having a draft in your house can make the lower temperature feel more severe. Drafts usually come from doors and windows and are relatively easy to counter by installing draft stoppers or you can go with a budget option of rolling up a towel and placing it along the most drafty areas. Stopping the draft will make you feel more comfortable with a lower temperature.

Things to consider

To make sure your thermostat is working most efficient we advise the following:

• Read the manual to find a place in your home where the thermostat will perform best. 
• Do not place furniture in front or below your thermostat as it blocks the natural air flow which it needs to work effectively.
• Place your thermostat in a convenient location so you can adjust it when you prefer.

So, back to the main subject, does adjusting the thermostat up or down really save money? In the end, it all comes down to how much you’re willing to lower your thermostat to save money. If you’re prepared to put up with a few additional measures over the winter, you might be able to save up a reasonable amount.

Are these tips not working for you? There might be more serious issues with your heating or cooling system that cause you to lose out on saving on your bills. We can help, check out what we can do for you. 

If you need more information on the subject, or on any other HVAC-related services within Phoenix, Arizona, give us a call. We’re here for you!

“Today I got the opportunity to get my house air conditioner repair by one if not the best company in the Phoenix area… Victor with Legendary Energy LLC did a terrific job getting my AC unit up and running.”

AL
Phoenix, AZ