Florida weather — contrary to what the rest of the country believes — is not always sunshine and warm breezes. In spite of our region’s reputation for hot weather year round, the reality is that Florida weather is very inconsistent. This inconsistency can cost you a lot of money as you adjust your thermostat to stay comfortable indoors.
With highs in the low 30s one week and low 70s the next, how can you control your home’s temperature without sending your utility bills skyrocketing?
1. Keep a watchful eye on the forecast
Being proactive is one of the best ways to prepare for swift changes in weather. Make it a point to be aware of the upcoming forecast and adjust your thermostat accordingly. As tempting as it may be to move the heat to a very high setting when it is cold outside, doing so won’t cause your home to warm up any faster. But, it can negatively affect your energy bill.
2. Use a programmable thermostat
Investing in a programmable thermostat is one of the smartest ways to save money and stay comfortable. Simply program it to the temperature that you feel most comfortable and let it do the rest. To increase your savings during the winter, program your thermostat so that it maintains a warmer temperature while you are at home and a cooler temperature when you’re asleep or out of the house.
However, it is important to avoid temperature extremes. If the settings are too high or too low, the system will have to work much harder to bring the temperature back to a comfortable range.
3. Take advantage of free heat
Even when it’s cold outside, Northeast Florida often experiences lots of natural sunshine. Take advantage of this by keeping the blinds and shades open during the daylight hours. Doing so allows you to capture the heat and warming energy of the sun. Once the temperature starts to drop, you’ll notice that your heater may not need to come on as often.
4. Don’t heat or cool what you don’t need
If there are any areas of your home that you don’t use regularly — such as a spare bedroom or an unused office — don’t cool or heat those areas. One way to avoid doing so is to implement a zone control system. With a zone control system from A/C Designs, you can raise or lower the temperature in certain areas, or zones, to more effectively heat or cool your home and save money.
If you are struggling to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, get in touch. Our factory-trained certified technicians have been providing home comfort solutions for over a decade. Whether your system needs repair, replacement, or general maintenance, we are committed to providing professional services for all of Northeast Florida.