Adjust the Thermostat

Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees (or higher) in the summer and 65 degress (or lower) in the winter can save you big dollars. I set my thermostat to 80 degrees in the hot months and 65 degrees in the winter months. It may not seem like a lot but in summer months, each degree over 75 can save you $50.00 off your electric bill. In the winter you save both on electricty and natural gas or propane so your savings can actually be higher.

To save even more money, install a programmable thermostat and have the system turned off while you are away at work or school. Then have it come on 30 minutes before you get home to cool or heat the place. In the past it was cheaper to keep the temperature constant and this might be true with older air conditioning and homes. However today’s systems are more efficient and can cool or heat your home fairly quick. With newer homes that are properly insulated and have updated systems, it is more efficient to only use the system when it is needed.