AMERICANS have been advised to make only a slight thermostat switch to help them save money and prevent mold buildup.
Energy bill costs reached a 12-year high earlier this summer, and the simple switch could make a massive difference.
A thermostat switch could save Americans at least 10% on bills (stock image)[/caption]
The household temperature should always be set for comfortability, but ideally no more than seven to ten degrees off from its normal setting for eight hours every day, according to the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
Taking this step could save at least 10% yearly on electricity.
Considering the average yearly electricity bill in the US is around $1,788, it would mean about $178.80 kept in homeowners and renters’ pockets, per SaveOnEnergy.com.
Except, the savings vary depending on the climate Americans live in, as more intense cold or heat would require more drastic adjustments.
In an ideal situation, the DOE emphasized on its website that “the smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.”
This goes for the wintertime in the coming months.
Americans are advised to avoid intense heating when possible and maintain a relatively stable temperature when possible.
“You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68 degrees to 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home,” the department noted.
“During the winer, the lower the interior temperature, the slower the heat loss.”
“So the longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy you save, because your house has lost less energy than it would have at the higher temperature,” the DOE added.
The same goes for summer, as “a higher interior temperature will slow the flow of heat into your house, saving energy on air conditioning,” per the department.
When its hot and humid, particularly in warmer climates, there’s also a high potential for mold due to condensation if climate control is turned off completely when away from home.
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION
That’s why Bill Taylor, HVAC contract manager at South Jersey & Elizabethtown Gas told The US Sun that setting a thermostat “wisely” is so important.
“Bumping your thermostat even 1-2 degrees can reduce cooling costs by up to 3-5%,” Taylor advised.
Thermostat Ranges Winter vs. Summer
- Winter
- At Home: 68 degrees
- Away/Asleep: 60 to 65 degrees
- Variable depending but always seven to 10 lower than normal setting
- Summer
- At Home: 78 degrees
- Away: 85 degrees
- Asleep: 82 degrees
- Variable depending but always seven to 10 degrees higher than setting
Credit: US Department of Energy
He recommended a range of 74 to 76 degrees in the summer for most climates in the United States.
This slight bump when leaving the house was also advised by three other experts who spoke with The Associated Press recently.
Patrick Phelan, a mechanical engineering professor at Arizona State University, told AP it could result in about 3% monthly savings on cooling costs with just a one-degree increase.
Phelan also warned that while a complete turn-off of the system when away from home certainly saves money, as it’s not in use, it makes way for a lack of moisture regulation, leading to the potentiality of mold buildup.
Not only that, but it could cause wear and tear on the AC system, meaning required repairs that cost money.
GADGET UPGRADE
Elizabeth Hewitt, an urban planning expert and professor at Stony Brook University, also suggested an investment in a smart thermostat.
While there would be an up-front cost, it could lead to savings, as the gadgets “learn” to monitor occupancy in the living space, raising and lowering temperatures when no one is around to conserve energy.
“If you’re going from just an ordinary thermostat to installing a smart one like Nest, then you can expect something like 10% savings,” Hewitt noted.
Any money-saving methods are likely welcome for many Americans, as data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has shown electricity costs are up by about 5.5% as of July compared to 2024.
Avoiding a little-known mistake could save homeowners hundreds more on energy bills, as well.
Six simple steps can also slash energy bills by about $100.
