5 Thermostat Mistakes That Could Be Costing You in Palm Beach Gardens, FL

If you have a smart thermostat, you’re probably familiar with its little dashboard that provides insight into your energy use. However, these dashboards are relatively new to the industry and can be confusing if you haven’t navigated them yet. Here are five thermostat mistakes that could be costing you money in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

1. Always Setting Your Thermostat at the Same Temperature

Most thermostats only consider whether you’re home when they determine if they need to turn on or off. So even if you leave for work early in the morning and return from work late in the evening, it’s easy for your thermostat to think that you’re still home when it’s not controlling anything. You might be wasting energy by keeping your house too warm or cool when no one is there.

2. Leaving Your Windows Open When It’s Hot Outside

If it’s hot outside and you’re using air conditioning, don’t leave your windows open! Surprisingly, many people do just that without realizing how much it costs them in terms of wasted energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), approximately half of all heat loss through windows occurs when they’re left slightly open.

3. Not Getting Regular HVAC Maintenance

An annual or semi-annual checkup by a professional is one of the best ways to make sure your HVAC system runs optimally. A professional will ensure that your unit is running at peak performance, which means lower energy bills.

4. Setting the Temperature Too High or Too Low

Setting your temperature too high or low could increase your utility bills and put extra strain on your HVAC system, leading to costly repairs. Set your thermostat to 70-78 degrees Fahrenheit for maximum energy savings during the summer.

5. Ignoring Warnings From Your Thermostat

If there’s something wrong with your system, it will tell you. It displays an error message on its screen or automatically changes its temperature settings without any action on your part. That can lead to higher energy bills or even the breakdown of your entire system.

Understandably, updating the thermostat in your home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, is a big decision. Call us at Stephen K. Denny, Inc. for regular maintenance or to learn more about operating your thermostat correctly.

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