Originally posted on https://temperatureproorlando.com/residential-commercial-hvac/best-temperature-to-set-your-ac-while-away-winter-park/

You’re going to work and leaving your home for 8 to 9 hours, or you’re going away on a trip for a few days—either way, you want to make sure that you maximize your AC’s efficiency and don’t want to waste your electricity or put unnecessary strain on your air conditioner. What’s the best temperature to set your AC while away from your Winter Park home? Here are some tips.

How Should You Set Your Temperature at Home?

According to Energy Star, a government-backed program, you should set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re awake, 85 degrees during the day (while you’re away), and 82 degrees when you’re sleeping to conserve energy. This may seem reasonable for some states and city residents, but for Florida and Winter Park, staying cooler is a necessity in the hot weather.

Every Degree Counts

There is an optimal temperature in which you should set your thermostat dependent on how much you want to save money. The best temperature to set your AC while away is always contingent on the length of time you’re away, and on the weather outside, too.

Whether it’s in the summertime or wintertime, every degree counts. Literally. When it’s hot outside, every degree you raise your thermostat can save you around 5% on your monthly electricity bill from AC usage. For the winter months, you can save up to 5% for each degree you lower your thermostat.

So yes, every degree counts.

Going to Work

If you’re just heading to work, the best temperature to set your AC while away from your Winter Park home is up, but not too up. The real temperature is contingent on the time of year. For summertime (almost every day for Florida) you want to raise the temperature a few degrees, maybe 4-degrees (as we will explain later). For winter, it’s the same, except you’ll decrease it by 4-degrees.

Going on Vacation

When you’re going on vacation during the summertime or during warmer weather (pretty much anytime in Florida), you will want to keep your home at around 82 degrees (or higher) in order to save money. If it’s wintertime, you can set your thermostat to around 65 degrees.

If you don’t want to set your thermostat too high during summer vacation, some experts suggest setting your thermostat using the 4-degree rule. Set your thermostat 4 degrees higher than you would if you were home (same for winter, except subtract 4 degrees) and you will see some cost-savings without having to come home to a muggy or freezing home.

An important thing to remember, too much heat and humidity can lead to mildew and mold growth. So best to not shut the AC unit off.

The Benefits of Programmable Thermostats

If you want to save even more money, you should consider a programmable thermostat. It can be scheduled for when you want your AC unit to turn on or off. These thermostats are good for when you’re out to work or on vacation.

They can save you up to $180 per year. Smart thermostats can be programmed to turn on and off and change temperatures with the added benefit of being controllable via your phone, meaning no matter where you are, you can set your thermostat. This means you can save a lot on your electricity bill when you’re away and don’t have to worry about accidentally forgetting to set your thermostat.

Call a Professional AC Company in Winter Park

If you have questions about the best temperature to set your AC while away, call an AC company in Winter Park with the experience and expertise to answer and address all of your questions and concerns. At TemperaturePro Orlando, we can help you with all of your questions. We offer the following services for our customers in Winter Park, Florida:

• Emergency service 24/7
• Fast, and friendly service
• Up-front explanations and pricing

A professional will answer your questions, give you suggestions, and help you set your thermostat to the perfect energy-saving temperature. Contact us today.