AMERICANS can keep their residence cool this summer and save money on energy bills at the same time.
The extra cash comes from a simple and avoidable decision that homeowners are likely unaware they made.
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Corey Gilgan, energy expert and owner of electrical solutions company Oregon Generators, noted in a press release that he sees it all the time, and fixing the choice could help residents get as much as 30% off their bill annually.
Gilgan said it has nothing to do with HVAC systems or adjusting temperature settings at certain hours of the day.
Instead, it’s about where exactly the thermostat is in the living space.
“Most people have no idea that thermostat placement can make or break their energy efficiency,” Gilgan explained.
Read More on Energy Bills
“I’ve seen homeowners spending hundreds more than necessary, simply because their thermostat is in the wrong spot.”
So, how does the location of the thermostat drain wallets?
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
According to Gilgan, it all depends on how much light and heat it’s exposed to.
“When your thermostat sits in a sunny spot or close to a radiator, oven, or even large TV, it gets fooled into thinking your entire home is hotter than it actually is,” he explained.
“Your cooling system kicks in unnecessarily, or your heating shuts off too early, leaving you uncomfortable and paying through the nose.”
Basically, thermostats operate as temperature sensors.
When exposed to artificial heat or direct sunlight, it interferes with its ability to properly sense the temperature of the space.
When that happens, heating cycles in the winter and cooling cycles in the summer are off and happen too often, costing homeowners and renters more money.
Gilgan cited several bad thermostat spots for residents to remain aware of.
They include kitchen walls, exterior walls, near air vents, hallways, and potentially above fireplaces or heaters.
Air conditioner tips to keep you cool this summer
Here are some tips to get your air conditioner to pay off without exactly making you pay more, per Apartment Therapy:
- Move electronics away from your thermostat as they may confuse it and make it think the room is hotter than it is
- Keep your A/C unit shaded
- Make sure to clean your A/C filter
- Leave your thermostat be
- Try not to move your vents too much
- Check your airducts
- Use your fan
WHERE SHOULD IT GO?
The ideal spot — an interior wall, away from sunlight and heat sources, in the room visited most often.
“Think about where your family spends the most time — usually the living room,” Gilgan noted.
“That’s where you want accurate temperature control, not in some random hallway nobody uses.”
The energy expert also recommended putting it between 52 and 60 inches above the floor.
If it’s too low, cooler temperatures can be read near the ground, and if it’s too high — well — heat rises.
There’s also a way to test temperature accuracy by placing a thermometer in the living room and comparing it to the thermostat reading.
If there’s a significant difference, it could mean the placement is an issue costing money.
ASSISTANCE NEEDED
It’s also important to remember that those who decide to move their thermostat hire a professional to do it, as it involves electrical work and specific measures for it to safely and accurately operate.
“I frequently relocate thermostats for customers, and they’re always amazed at how much more comfortable their homes become, and how their bills drop,” Gilgan said.
Select Americans were also warned recently about energy bills skyrocketing in June with a new policy in place.
There’s also a way to slash costs with a new TV button upgrade coming to millions soon.
