Should You Turn Off Your AC When You Go to Work?

No, not in Atlanta.

But if you want to save money and keep your house comfortable, you should turn your thermostat up.

Allow us to explain.

Why you shouldn’t turn your AC off

Turning off your AC on a hot Atlanta day could lead to indoor temperatures of 90+ degrees and humidity levels of above 80%.

That excessive heat and humidity can lead to problems in your home, like:

• An overworked refrigerator — The hotter the air in your home, the harder your refrigerator has to work. This can cause refrigerators to break down prematurely.
• Damage to your home — Increased humidity can cause doors to swell, plaster to crack, mold to grow and wood floors to buckle.
• Spoiled food — Even the food in your pantry could spoil as a result of the hot temps.

So, how can you save money while you’re not home without causing these problems?

Turn your thermostat up

Whenever your home is empty for 8 hours or more, turn your thermostat up 7-10 degrees. That way your AC will run less (and cut your energy costs).

You can save as much as 10% a year on cooling by following this method, according to The U.S. Department of Energy.

Want an easier way?

Turning your thermostat up every time you leave the house can quickly become obnoxious. If you want to save money without the hassle, consider a programmable thermostat.

Programmable thermostats can be set to automatically adjust your settings each day so you don’t ever have to think about it.

Have more questions? We’d be happy to help – just contact us today.

Related:

• Three Thermostat Myths That Cost You Money Each Month
• The Cor Thermostat