How to Choose What Temperature to Set Your Thermostat When on Summer Vacation
When planning for a summer vacation, there are many things to consider, including what temperature to set your thermostat while you’re away. Finding the right temperature can help you save energy and money, while also ensuring that your home stays comfortable and safe. In this article, we will provide you with some tips on how to choose the ideal temperature for your thermostat when you’re on a summer vacation.
Consider Energy Efficiency
One of the main reasons to adjust your thermostat while on vacation is to save energy and reduce your utility bills. It’s important to find a balance between keeping your home cool enough to prevent any damage or discomfort, and conserving energy. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F (25.5°C) when you’re at home, but you can increase this temperature while you’re away.
Protect Your Belongings
While saving energy is important, it’s also essential to protect your belongings from extreme heat and humidity. If you have sensitive items like electronics, artwork, or musical instruments, you may need to adjust your thermostat accordingly. Generally, it’s recommended to keep the temperature between 80°F (26.7°C) and 85°F (29.4°C) to ensure that your belongings stay safe and undamaged.
Consider Your Climate
The ideal temperature to set your thermostat during your vacation may also depend on the climate in your area. If you live in a region with high humidity, it’s important to keep the humidity levels in check to prevent mold and mildew growth. In such cases, setting your thermostat to a lower temperature, around 75°F (23.9°C), can help control humidity levels and keep your home dry.Schedule Now
Use Programmable Thermostats
If you haven’t already, consider investing in a programmable thermostat. These devices allow you to set different temperature schedules for different times of the day, making it easier to adjust the temperature while you’re away. You can program the thermostat to increase the temperature during the day when the house is empty and lower it in the evening when you return.Schedule Now
Test and Monitor
Before leaving for your vacation, it’s a good idea to test your thermostat and make sure it’s functioning properly. Set the desired temperature and observe if the cooling system is working efficiently. Additionally, you can also consider installing a smart thermostat that allows you to monitor and control the temperature remotely. This way, you can make adjustments if needed, even when you’re not at home. Schedule Now
Inform Your Neighbors
Lastly, it’s a good practice to inform your trusted neighbors or friends about your vacation plans. In case of any emergencies or issues with your cooling system, they can keep an eye on your home and take necessary actions. This added layer of security can provide peace of mind while you’re away.
Choosing the right temperature to set your thermostat when on summer vacation is a balance between energy efficiency, protecting your belongings, and considering your climate. By following these tips and using programmable thermostats, you can ensure that your home remains comfortable and safe while you enjoy your time away.Schedule Now
Why ENERGY STAR?
A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi enabled device that automatically adjusts heating and cooling temperature settings in your home for optimal performance.
Smart thermostats that earn the ENERGY STAR label have been independently certified, based on actual field data, to deliver energy savings.
While system designs may vary, common smart thermostat features include:
Convenience
Many smart thermostats learn your temperature preferences and establish a schedule that automatically adjusts to energy-saving temperatures when you are asleep or away.
Geofencing allows your smart thermostat to know when you’re on the way home and automatically adjusts your home’s temperature to your liking.
Control
Wi-Fi enabled thermostats allow you to control your home’s heating and cooling remotely through your smartphone.
ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats quickly enter a low-power standby mode when inactive.
Insight
Smart thermostats provide equipment use and temperature data you can track and manage.
Periodic software updates ensure your smart thermostat is using the latest algorithms and energy-saving features available.
For the average American household, almost half of the annual energy bill goes to heating and cooling – that’s more than $900 a year. Being smart about how you control your temperature settings with an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat will help you save money and stay comfortable in your home.
Each product uses slightly different features to help homeowners save energy, so do your research, and choose the ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat that’s right for you.
Common ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat features may include:
Remote Control:
Using your smartphone, you can adjust the temperature in your home from anywhere with an internet connection.
Geofencing:
This feature allows your thermostat to detect when you’ve left for the day to ‘set back’ your HVAC system and save money on your heating or A/C bill. If you’re on the way home, the thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature to ensure you arrive to a comfortable home.
Learning temperature preferences:
Certain ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats can learn your preferences automatically and establish a schedule that adjusts to energy-saving temperatures when you are asleep or away.
Over-the-Air Updates:
Your thermostat may update its software periodically to ensure it uses the latest algorithms and energy-saving features available.
Best Thermostats:
Google nest thermostat, Ecobee thermostat
Buying tips:
Make sure the smart thermostat you purchase is compatible with your heating and cooling system. For the very highest efficiency heating and cooling equipment, you may want a controller from the same company. (E.g. Air conditioner rated at 20 SEER or higher).
If your smart thermostat uses WIFI, make sure it’s reasonably close to the router to prevent periodic disconnections. If your thermostat is too far from your router, consider a WIFI range extender, which can improve overall connectivity.
ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats are also designed to be compatible with the programs that some local utilities offer, providing home owners in their service territory with incentives to help them manage reliability.
Be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR when shopping for a smart thermostat
Current Specification Effective Date: January 1, 2017
