Take Control of Your Thermostat This Summer

With hotter weather here in most of the country, we know you are concerned about keeping your electric bills down as much as possible – and we want to help.  Here are some tips that may help you better manage your thermostat and still remain comfortable this summer.

The air conditioning in your apartment home is probably your biggest energy user.  The temperature at which you set the thermostat affects how much it costs to cool your apartment.  Raising your thermostat even by a few degrees will save you money.

• Keep the thermostat for your central air conditioning at 78 degrees.  You can save an additional 5-7% off your cooling costs for each degree above 78. 
• Raising your “normal” thermostat setting all day, all night, every day will save you money.
• You can save even more by raising the thermostat when no one is home. 
• The longer your apartment stays at a higher setting, the more you save.
• When you want to cool your apartment, adjust the thermostat in small increments, a degree at a time.  The thermostat is not like the gas pedal in your car – turning it to the lowest setting does not cool your apartment any faster.  This actually wastes more energy.
• If your apartment gets too cool, don’t open a window.  Raise the thermostat setting instead.
• Do not place a lamp, television, computer, or any other device that creates heat near your thermostat.
• Your A/C filters should be changed regularly to keep your system operating more efficiently and effectively.  If you think your filter is dirty, contact your community’s leasing office or enter a service request.  We will replace your filter free of charge.

You will soon become accustomed to your new thermostat settings, and then you can slowly raise it even more.  You will be surprised at how much money you will save.