While maintaining your comfort all year long is important – particularly here in North Carolina – most homeowners throughout Raleigh and the Outer Banks are equally concerned about their monthly energy bill spending.

Are we asking too much to be able to maintain comfort in our homes – whether in the winter or summer – without breaking the bank?

Not at all.

One of the simplest solutions to managing your heating and cooling system is to adjust your thermostat settings, based on your habits and preferences. Not sure what that means? Let’s break it down even further:

Optimize Your Thermostat Settings For Those Warm North Carolina Summers

After years of research and study, the team here at Comfort First have concluded that your best setting for warm days is 78 degrees Fahrenheit, while you’re at home. If you’re out of the house for more than four hours, then consider changing your setting so that your AC only comes on if the house temperature tops 88 degrees.

For every degree higher you set your thermostat above 78, you could save around 8% off your home energy bill.

What Should You Set Your Thermostat To In The Cold Winter Months Of North Carolina?

We recommend keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re at home during the daytime. We also recommend considering lowering the thermostat at night while you sleep. Studies show that people actually sleep more soundly in a cooler environment.

Want A Simple Solution? How About A Programmable Thermostat?

A programmable thermostat will let you run a scheduled heating and cooling program without having to remember to manually change your settings every few hours. You can even set your thermostat to drop a few degrees in the middle of the night, while you’re sleeping, so you can save a few dollars on your energy bill (and enjoy a better night’s sleep).

Getting The Most Out Of Your Programmable Thermostat

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the most out of your thermostat:

1. Install your thermostat away from heating or cooling registers, appliances, lighting, doorways, fireplaces, skylights and windows that receive direct sunlight.
2. Keep the thermostat set at energy-savings temperatures whenever no one is at home, or when everyone is sleeping.
3. Set the “hold” button at an energy-savings temperature when you’re away for the weekend or on vacation.
4. Change your batteries annually (if your thermostat runs on batteries).

Keep Everyone’s Preferences In Mind

What you believe to be comfortable might not be what your spouse or child perceive as “comfortable.” Have a conversation with your family about their preferences, and offer some tips to help them improve their comfort. For example, thick socks and blankets help in the winter, as do fans in the summer.

Regardless of your individual preferences, adjusting your thermostat, either manually or through a schedule, will help you save money in the long run.