Common Thermostat Mistakes That Are Costing You BIG!

Maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home is important in all seasons. However, if you live in
a hot or cold climate your bills can really soar in the winter and summer months if you’re not careful.
There are a few common (yet expensive) mistakes many of us make when it comes to heating and
cooling our homes. By avoiding these mistakes you just might see a big change in your next bill!
Let’s cover what you can do to reduce your energy bill today. Read on to learn more….

Turning off the heat or AC when leaving the house
It’s a common mistake to think that turning the thermostat off while leaving the house will save you
money, but it actually makes your thermostat work much harder when it needs to heat or cool from
ground zero. Maintaining an even temperature at all times actually more advantageous, and can save
you money on your bill in the long run.

Not adjusting the heat while you’re gone for several hours
Now, just because you shouldn’t turn your heat off, doesn’t mean you should always have it tuned to
your ideal room temperature either. If you’re planning to be out of the house for several hours, turn the
thermostat down instead of off. A few degrees difference can actually make a huge dent in your bill, but
not make it so cold that your heater has to go into overdrive when you return and adjust the temp back
to normal.

Turning the thermostat all the way up in order to heat or cool faster
It’s a common misconception that turning the heat or AC all the way up will heat or cool the house
faster. All your thermostat temperature setting does is set the goal temperature for the space, but
whether it’s 30 degrees or 90 degrees, it’s going to heat or cool at the exact same pace. Setting the
temperature too high or too low just puts you at risk of overheating or over-cooling, which can be a
costly mistake.

Not changing or cleaning your filters
Dirty filters make your furnace, heat pump, or AC unit work extra hard, costing you money in the
process! Make sure to check, clean, and replace your filters regularly.

Letting hot and cool air escape
Poorly sealed windows can let the air inside escape and the air from outside in, making your overall
heating and cooling much less efficient. This is an especially common problem in older houses. If you’re
worried your windows may be a culprit in your expensive bills, get your local AC or Heating contractor or
supplier to do a home energy audit.