When your energy bill starts to rise in the summer, your thermostat is usually one of the first things you adjust. It’s an easy fix in the moment, but that quick change doesn’t always make the biggest difference over time.
What matters more is how your thermostat is used throughout the day. Small changes to timing and setup can help your home stay comfortable without putting extra strain on your cooling system.
Think Beyond the Temperature Setting
Because heating and cooling account for nearly half of the average home’s energy use, they have a significant impact on your monthly energy costs. If your air conditioner (AC) is running all day while you’re at work or overnight when temperatures naturally drop, it may be using more energy than necessary. Instead of constantly adjusting the thermostat, it can be helpful to look at your daily routine and identify times when a small adjustment makes sense.
Small Schedule Shifts Can Make a Noticeable Impact
One of the most effective ways to reduce energy use is to adjust your thermostat during parts of the day when you don’t need it as much, like when you’re away or sleeping. It’s best to raise your thermostat a few degrees when you’re away from home for an extended period and let your home run slightly warmer overnight. These adjustments can help lower heating and cooling costs by up to 10% annually when done consistently.
Cranking the AC Doesn’t Cool Your Home Faster
When your home feels warm, it’s tempting to lower the thermostat significantly to cool it down quickly. Setting your thermostat much lower than needed won’t speed up cooling, it will only increase energy use. A better approach is to adjust the temperature gradually and give your system time to catch up.
Take a Look Around Your Home
Your home itself plays a role in how hard your AC has to work. On hot summer days, sunlight that enters through windows can raise indoor temperatures significantly. Try:
In the long run, these steps will help your home stay cooler naturally and reduce the workload on your thermostat.
Where Your Thermostat is Located Can Affect Performance
If your thermostat is exposed to direct sunlight, drafts, or heat from nearby windows or appliances, it may register a temperature that doesn’t reflect how the rest of your home feels. This can cause your system to turn on or off more often, affecting both comfort and energy use. To help your thermostat work more effectively:
A well-placed thermostat can make a noticeable difference in how efficiently your system runs, without changing anything about how you use it day to day.
Make Adjustments Easier to Manage with Smart Technology
For many households, remembering to adjust the thermostat throughout the day isn’t always realistic. Instead of making manual changes, programmable and smart thermostats can adjust temperatures based on your schedule and maintain a consistent routine in the background. Some models can also factor in how long it takes to cool your home, ensuring the temperature is where you want it when you need it without unnecessary runtime.
If you’re an AEP Energy customer*, you can explore smart thermostats in Reward Store. These devices are designed to automatically adjust to your schedule, helping reduce unnecessary energy use without the need for constant manual changes.
A Smarter Way to Stay Cool This Summer
Using your thermostat more efficiently doesn’t mean keeping your home warmer or constantly making changes throughout the day. It’s more about noticing when cooling is actually needed, and where small adjustments can make a difference without changing how your home feels. Over time, those changes can help your system run more efficiently while keeping your space comfortable through the summer.
Another way you can stay ahead of rising summer energy costs is by considering a fixed-rate energy plan for your home from a retail energy supply provider like AEP Energy. You can explore a variety of plan options to help keep your monthly bills predictable so you can focus on staying comfortable, even when temperatures rise. Explore rates and plans today.
*Please note, not all AEP Energy customers or price plans are eligible to earn Reward Dollars. Some exclusions apply.
AEP Energy does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, freedom from error, or value of any information herein. The information presented is provided “as is”, “as available”, and for informational purposes only, speaks only to events or circumstances on or before the date it is presented, and should not be construed as advice, a recommendation, or a guarantee of future results. AEP Energy disclaims any and all liabilities and warranties related hereto, including any obligation to update or correct the information herein. Summaries and website links included herein (collectively, “Links”) are not under AEP Energy’s control and are provided for reference only and not for commercial purposes. AEP Energy does not endorse or approve of the Links or related information and does not provide any warranty of any kind or nature related thereto.
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