According to the Department of Energy, changing your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day can lower your energy bill by 10%. That means if your energy bill averages $150 a month, you’ll be saving about $15 a month. However, if you make the adjustment and you’re still not noticing a large drop in your energy bill, here’s a few reasons why adjusting the thermostat may not be saving you money on your energy bill:
The Temperature Outside Is Affecting Your Savings
You may set your thermostat to be 8 degrees hotter in the summer when you’re at work, but then at the end of the month— you notice your bill not only didn’t get smaller, it increased! That might be because the temperature outside has been consistently getting warmer and your air conditioning has been working overtime to keep your house cold. To have a correct cost comparison, you’re going to want to compare the cost of your electricity bill from the same time last year and see if you have a 10% drop, rather than compare to last month’s bill, where the temperatures outside may have been cooler.
The Age Of Your HVAC System Matters More Than The Temperature You Set It At
Your energy bills may continue to be high, even after you adjust the thermostat down 10 degrees for half the day, if you have an older heating and cooling system. According to the Department of Energy, you can save 20 to 40 percent on energy costs by upgrading to a more efficient HVAC system, even if your current system is only 10 years old!
Rather than adjusting the thermostat and suffering through the heat, purchase a newer, more efficient HVAC system from Gillman Heating and Cooling. Contact us today for a free estimate and more information on how to lower your monthly energy bills.
