Programmable Thermostat Guide

As the heat and humidity of summertime move into the Minnesota air, many homeowners seek to maintain a comfortable indoor environment without busting the family budget. Instead of constantly adjusting the thermostat and forgetting to update it before leaving or going to bed, our team at Northern's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® suggests taking advantage of the convenience of a programmable thermostat. Programming the thermostat correctly will optimize your summer energy savings and reduce your carbon footprint. 

While at Home:

  • Set the thermostat as high as is comfortable. Wear shorts and t-shirts inside to help feel cool. If you are comfortable outdoors when it is 82F, set the thermostat for that temperature.
  • The smaller the difference between the temperature inside the house and outside, the less energy the air conditioner will use.
  • Program the thermostat using the daily, weekly or weekend scheduling options.
  • Using a ceiling fan in the rooms you spend time in will let you set the thermostat 4 degrees higher, which can save a significant amount of energy.

While Away from Home:

  • Set the thermostat to 85F or higher for times that no one is at home.
  • Today’s thermostats are smart enough such that if you set it to be at 80F upon your return home, it will achieve that at the set time. You do not have to set the thermostat for a temperature lower than your desired temperature. This will only force the system to consume more energy.
  • If you take a vacation, remember to adjust the thermostat’s settings for the times you would typically be at home. If your usual away temperature is 85F, change the settings so that the thermostat is always at 85F for the duration of your vacation.

Our Minneapolis air conditioning company offers AC maintenance, installation of programmable thermostats and other services to help maximize energy efficiency during the summer months. For more information about optimal thermostat settings, give Northern's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® a call today at (763) 284-8639.