Best Ways to Cool Your Texas Home
McKinney summers can feel insufferable without a functional and powerful air conditioning system. Still, the weather’s increased demand on your AC system can result in higher utility expenses. Texans need a way to beat the heat while minimizing energy bills to reduce monthly cooling costs without sacrificing indoor comfort. But what can you do?
In this guide, the HVAC experts at Harris Air Services discuss the best ways to keep your Texas home cool while lowering your energy bills.
Understanding Thermostat Settings
Thermostats are central to regulating your home’s temperature. They usually come with several settings, including:
- Cool: Activates your air conditioning to lower the home’s temperature
- Heat: Turns on the heating to increase the temperature indoors
- Fan: Operates the fan to circulate air without heating or cooling
- Auto: Automatically switches between heating and cooling based on the room temperature and the set temperature
Setting your thermostat to an optimal temperature is a great way to balance energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
During the summer, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78º F during the day while at home and 82º F during the nighttime or while you’re away. Doing this can lead to significant savings on your energy bills while still ensuring optimal comfort indoors.
Using Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats allow you to set temperatures according to a schedule that matches your daily lifestyle. For the best results, we recommend programming the thermostat to increase the temperature in your home while you’re away.
Be sure to set it to cool the house to your preferred comfort level about half an hour before you return home. Programmable thermostats maintain consistent indoor temperatures, enhancing comfort while reducing energy consumption.
Implementing Thermostat Strategies for Energy Savings
Using your thermostat strategically can further enhance your energy savings through the summer. While the temptation might be to set it and forget it, this can have an expensive impact on your energy bills in the long run.
Also, forcing your cooling equipment to work even while you’re not at home can strain your system unnecessarily, leading to premature breakdown and expensive repair requests. For this reason, we recommend increasing the temperature setting overnight or when the house is unoccupied.
If you don’t already have one, consider installing a programmable thermostat and using it to make these adjustments automatically based on your daily schedule. These strategies can help reduce the burden on your HVAC system, lower energy consumption, and decrease your utility bills.
Maximizing Cooling Efficiency with Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is another great option for optimal comfort while reducing energy expenses. These systems offer unique benefits that go beyond simple temperature adjustments, including:
- Remote access: You can control your HVAC system via a smartphone app or web portal, no matter where you are.
- Smart home integration: Use voice commands through smart home assistants to adjust settings or get updates on your HVAC equipment.
- Energy insights: Many smart thermostats offer energy usage insights in your smartphone app so you can get personalized recommendations on maximizing energy conservation in your home.
These features provide convenience and help optimize the energy usage of your home cooling system.
Additional Tips for Cooling Homes in Texas
Beyond thermostat management, other strategies that can enhance your home cooling include:
- Ceiling fans and ventilation: Use ceiling fans to circulate air and make the room feel cooler without significantly lowering the temperature.
- Regular HVAC maintenance: Ensure your air conditioning system is serviced regularly to maintain efficiency.
- Replace air filters: To keep your system running smoothly, be sure to replace air filters every one to three months, depending on usage.
Get Help with Harris Air
If you’re looking to enhance energy efficiency while maximizing indoor comfort this season, Harris Air is here to help. From AC tune-ups to programmable thermostat installations, our team delivers solutions to balance energy savings and indoor comfort.
Book AC services in McKinney, TX by contacting our team online to book your appointment today.
