Setting Your Thermostat For Spring

March 20 ushers in the first official day of spring, and that means outside temperatures will be on the rise again soon. To help you save energy this season, we thought we’d use this week’s blog to talk about the best thermostat settings for spring, along with a few other related ideas.  

Ideal Spring Thermostat Temperature

When it comes to ideal temperatures for indoor living, preferences can depend on a number of factors, including age, sex and health. Experts generally agree that the perfect range for humans is somewhere between 65 degrees and 72 degrees. And research shows most people would agree, but that range doesn’t really account for energy savings. 

In milder climates like Georgia, the best thermostat setting for spring is at 78 degrees when you want to cut costs while still staying relatively comfortable. If that’s still a little too warm for you, you’re likely going to have to try adjusting your thermostat at different times to offset higher-use periods of the day—if you want to save. 

Save Money by Adjusting Your Thermostat

For a manual thermostat adjusted by hand—and in a home where no one is there during the day to protest—try bumping the temperature up a few degrees before you head out in the morning (78 degrees or warmer). You’ll be able to knock up to 10% off your cooling expenses for every 7-10 degrees warmer you can make it per eight-hour periods each day.  

For even more savings, turn your air conditioner off completely when no one is home for eight hours or more. The old idea that your cooling system will have to work harder when you turn it back on later in the day isn’t entirely accurate. Your A/C will run at the same speed no matter when it’s on, though it may run longer to later cool a house that’s been cooking in the hot sun all day. But you’ll still end up saving when you switch it off, as long as that’s an option. You might have pets or delicate items to consider, after all, and many don’t respond well to the high temperatures and humidity levels your cooling system helps control. But even if that’s the case at your home, you can still raise the temperature a little when you plan to be out. 

If you’re looking to take the hassle out of remembering to adjust your temperatures manually during the day and evening, consider purchasing a programmable thermostat. There are lots of models available on the market, and most are easy to install yourself. We like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat—it learns your preferred settings and makes automatic adjustments to help you save. Learn more about this energy-saving thermostat. Or see a rating of some of the more popular brands on the market such as the 10 Best Smart Thermostats. 

We hope this blog helps you save this spring. Stay tuned to future posts as we periodically blog on other ways you can cut your energy costs.