The best thermostat settings for energy efficiency in Port St. Lucie revolve around maintaining a balance between comfort and savings, particularly given the area’s warm, humid climate. Setting your thermostat to 78°F when you’re home during the summer and adjusting it higher when you’re away can significantly reduce energy consumption without compromising the comfort of your loved ones. 

Let’s dive deeper into why these settings work and explore actionable tips to maximize energy efficiency in your home!

Understanding Energy Efficiency and Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat plays a central role in controlling your home’s energy usage. Small adjustments can lead to big savings, especially in a city like Port St. Lucie, where air conditioning (AC) runs almost year-round. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save approximately 10% annually on heating and cooling by adjusting your thermostat 7°–10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.

Why 68°F to 70°F?

The U.S Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home, during the winters. The same strategy can be adopted during the summers, by setting your central air conditioning to a warmer setting and lowering it when you’re home. For each degree you raise your thermostat, you save about 3–5% on cooling costs.

To learn more about energy savings with your thermostats, consider contacting an expert such as AC Authority. 

Boost Your Energy Efficiency Through These AC Tips

1. Set Temperature Based on Your Schedule

• Home: Based on research conducted by CNET, the ideal setting for your thermostat during the summer is at 78°F when you’re home.
• Away: Increase the temperature to around 85°F when you’re not home.
• Night: Lower it slightly if you need cooler temperatures for sleeping, but avoid going below 72°F to keep energy usage in check.

2. Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

Investing in a programmable or smart thermostat can automate your AC settings for maximum efficiency.

• Programmable Models: Set temperature schedules based on your daily routines.
• Smart Thermostats: Learn your habits over time and adjust settings dynamically. Many models also allow remote control via smartphone apps, letting you manage your AC even when you’re not home.

3. Pair with Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans can make a room feel 4–6°F cooler without lowering the thermostat. Set fans to rotate counterclockwise in the summer to create a cooling breeze.

4. Seal Air Leaks and Insulate

Energy efficiency isn’t just about thermostat settings. Ensure your home’s windows, doors, and ducts are sealed properly to keep cool air inside. Insulation in attics and walls also helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures.

5. Adjust Gradually

Sudden thermostat changes force your AC to work harder, which increases energy usage. Instead, adjust the temperature by 1° or 2° at a time for a gradual and efficient transition.

If you’re confused about what thermostat setting is best for you based on the climate in Port St Lucie, get in touch with experienced technicians at AC Authority.

AC Maintenance Tips for Higher Energy Efficiency

Regular AC maintenance ensures your system operates efficiently, reducing energy costs and prolonging its lifespan. Here are some essential maintenance tips:

1. Clean or Replace Filters

Dirty filters block airflow, forcing your system to work harder. Check your filters monthly and replace them every 1–3 months, depending on usage and air quality.

2. Inspect Ductwork

Leaky ducts can lose up to 30% of cooled air. Schedule a professional inspection and seal any leaks to improve energy efficiency.

3. Clean Coils

The evaporator and condenser coils can accumulate dirt over time, reducing your AC’s efficiency. Annual cleaning by a professional is recommended.

4. Check Refrigerant Levels

Low refrigerant levels can reduce cooling efficiency. If you notice your AC isn’t cooling effectively, contact an expert to check and refill the refrigerant.

5. Schedule Regular Tune-Ups

Professional maintenance by experts such as AC Authority ensures your system runs efficiently. Schedule an annual check-up before the summer heat hits Port St. Lucie.

The Benefits of Energy-Efficient Thermostat Settings

Optimizing your thermostat settings offers more than just monetary savings—it enhances your home’s overall functionality and environmental impact. Here’s a closer look at the benefits:

1. Lower Utility Bills

One of the most immediate advantages of energy-efficient thermostat settings is the reduction in your monthly utility bills. By setting your thermostat to align with your daily habits—such as increasing the temperature when you’re not home—you minimize unnecessary energy use. For example, raising your thermostat by one degree translates into a saving of up to 3%. 

2. Increased System Lifespan

Air conditioning systems work hardest when they constantly cycle on and off to maintain lower temperatures. By adopting energy-efficient practices, you reduce the strain on your AC unit. A longer lifespan means fewer costly repairs and replacements, making energy-efficient practices a sound investment for the long term.

3. Environmental Impact

Efficient thermostat settings directly contribute to environmental sustainability. When your AC uses less energy, it reduces demand on power plants, which in turn decreases greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal thermostat setting for energy efficiency in winter?

Set your thermostat to 68°F when you’re home and awake, and lower it by about 10° when you’re asleep or away.

Does a programmable thermostat really save energy?

Yes! Programmable thermostats ensure your AC isn’t running unnecessarily, saving energy and money.

Should I turn my AC off completely when I’m not home?

It’s better to adjust the thermostat to a higher setting (around 85°F) rather than turning it off completely. This prevents your AC from overworking to cool the house when you return.

How often should I schedule professional AC maintenance?

It is recommended to schedule professional AC maintenance by experts such as AC Authority at least once a year, ideally before summer, to ensure optimal performance during peak usage. 

Can ceiling fans really help reduce energy costs?

Absolutely! Fans enhance air circulation, allowing you to feel cooler without lowering the thermostat.

Final Thoughts

Energy-efficient thermostat settings are a simple yet effective way to reduce energy bills, extend the life of your AC, and stay comfortable in Port St. Lucie’s warm climate. Combined with smart maintenance practices, these settings can transform your home into an energy-efficient haven.

For expert AC maintenance, repairs, or installations, turn to AC Authority. Our team specializes in keeping Port St. Lucie homes cool and energy-efficient. Contact us today to schedule a service and enjoy a cooler, more cost-effective summer!

TLDR: In order to save money on your energy bill you can use precise thermostat settings, clean air filters and adequate airflow in combination with good AC unit maintenance practices to keep your machine working at peak performance. 

When it comes to keeping your home cool or warm during certain times of the year, it can quickly lead to higher energy costs and more maintenance on your air conditioning system.  However, there are several ways that you can lighten that load on your wallet through simple techniques and a bit of planning. 

Whether you have an expensive central air unit or the more efficient ductless mini-split, these general rules for optimizing power usage, air flow efficiency and filter condition can save you money anytime of the year!

1. Use Your Thermostat Correctly

All air conditioning units come with a device, either built in or installed separately, that controls the operation of the system. The thermostat is an important thing to understand, especially when it comes to maintaining cost efficient temperature control. Here are a few things that can impact your thermostats ability to work correctly:

• If your thermostat is near something that creates heat it can improperly read the temperature, possibly making it activate more often or prematurely.. 
• Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature and let it be! Constantly changing the settings will cause your AC to turn on and off erratically when it can usually get to the set temperature given enough time.
• Use a programmable thermostat. With timed parameters and customizable options for every day of the week you can compensate for when you know you won’t be home and guarantee that the unit is only running when you need it the most. 

Investing in a SMART thermostat is another good idea, as the ability to precisely control how and when your unit powers on is essential for not wasting energy. The experts at AC Authority can help recommend and install SMART thermostats for you home that work with any air conditioning system.

2. Take Care Of Your Air Filters

As your unit draws in air, that air passes through a filter. This serves a few main purposes: to remove debri and allergens from the air to increase the overall air quality and to keep that same debris from entering into your system (and ductwork if your system utilizes it). But over time, the filter will retain that dust and debris, making it harder for the system to draw in and expel air, which ultimately forces it to draw on more energy overall.

Pro tip: Keeping your filter clean also increases the overall quality of the air within your home. It can even help reduce allergies during the pollen-heavy seasons. 

AC Authority recommends replacing disposable filters every three months at least and cleaning removable filters every month. Certain units that rely on ductwork may also need the ducts cleaned as well. That same debris and dust builds up in the duct system and can also impact the energy efficiency of the system.

3. Control Airflow Within Your Home

Making sure that your cooled or heated air is flowing unobstructed and is being directed to the correct areas within your home will increase the efficiency of any AC system. The airflow of your air conditioning unit is affected by several things: 

• The position of the vents either on the unit itself or on the ductwork throughout your home. It is best to not close all of the vents (if you have multiple) as this can backfire and make the system work harder, but make sure that the hottest or coolest parts of your home are receiving as much air as possible.
• If your unit is at window or floor height, make sure there is no furniture blocking the blowers path and make sure the unit has some empty space around it. If things get too crowded, the unit will become hot itself, drastically lowering its ability to run efficiently. 
• Open any doors in areas that you are trying to influence to make sure that the air can get to the space. 
• Utilize a fan to push air where you want it to go. This also helps cool a space more quickly during the hotter months.

4. Control The Sunlight And Air coming Into Your Home

Direct sunlight can make your home much hotter, while improperly sealed doors and windows mean that the outside temperature can influence the environment. Less related to your AC unit directly, but this can make your system fight an upwards battle when it comes to controlling the temperature. Cold air can come in through cracks in your houses sealing, while sunlight can make rooms incredibly hot over time.

Shades or blinds can keep sunlight out, while getting the selas along your doors and windows check will help make sure they aren’t allowing air in or out.

5. Get Your AC System Inspected Regularly

Easily the most important practice on this list is making sure that your system is being maintained properly. Small operating issues can build up over time, resulting in a drop in performance or a spike in energy usage. Other times, your thermostat may be having issues that would otherwise go unnoticed unless examined by a professional.

AC Authority offers a unique solution to AC maintenance that you can’t find anywhere else: Maintenance Comfort Guard. This maintenance plan monitors your air conditioner 24/7 for any changes to its operations, no matter how small. We will quickly arrive to assess the change and fix it as part of the plan, so you don’t have to worry about your energy bill skyrocketing due to faulty equipment.

Energy Saving Key Takeaways

Making sure that your energy bill is consistent is easily accomplished by utilizing your thermostat correctly, keeping your filters cleaned, allowing proper airflow within your home, keeping the weather outside and keeping up with your AC unit’s maintenance. With these simple tips you can save money any time of year, no matter the temperature.