- Many people believe that air conditioners or furnaces have to work harder to cool or heat homes back to a comfortable temperature after the temperature becomes very hot or cold. This is not correct. Your house loses less energy as it becomes closer to the temperature outside, so you save energy by turning the thermostat up when you leave. Continuing to cool the house while you are gone uses much more energy than the energy required to cool it down when you come home.
- Using a programmable thermostat can help you save energy, lower your electric bills and stay comfortable in hot weather. Programmable thermostats enable you to set different temperatures for different times of day. For example, you can program your thermostat to 78 degrees while you are in your home and program it to 85 degrees or warmer while you are at work or away. You can also program your thermostat to become slightly warmer as you sleep.
- The ideal temperature for your home depends on your preferences and health. For example, elderly or sick people may be less comfortable in warm homes. In addition, if you have pets, you may not be able to set your thermostat as high during the day while you are gone.
- You can also stay cool by increasing ventilation and insulating your home. For example, turn on ceiling fans while you're in a room. The increased ventilation caused by a ceiling fan helps you feel three to five degrees cooler, and ceiling fans use much less energy than air conditioners. In addition, use vegetation, solar screens, curtains or other options to keep sunlight from warming your house, and fix any leaks in your home or foundation. Window fans or attic fans can also help draw cool air in your home at night.
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