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Away for the day? Adjust your A/C

With school back in session and more people heading into the office, small A/C adjustments can help you stay cool and cut energy costs — even as Florida’s heat drags on.

family leaving house for school and work

Even in September your air conditioner is still working overtime in the Florida heat. Schedule changes can actually work in your favor when it comes to saving energy.

If your home is empty for long stretches of the day, this is a great time to rethink your thermostat settings and make a few easy adjustments that can lead to real savings on your energy bill.

What temperature should I set my thermostat to?

When you're home, aim for a setting between 75°F and 78°F. It’s a good balance of comfort and efficiency.

When you’re away for the day, like during work or school hours, raise it to about 82°F. The higher setting gives your A/C a break and helps lower your cooling costs.

Quick tip: For every degree above 75°F, you can save up to 5% on your monthly cooling costs, depending on the age of your home and A/C.

Auto vs. On — which fan setting is better?

Stick with Auto. This setting only runs the fan when your A/C is cooling, which saves energy and reduces wear on your system.

The On setting keeps the fan running 24/7 — even when no cooling is needed — which can mean over 200 extra hours of run time each month.

Other simple ways to get the most from your A/C:

Keep vents open. Closed vents don’t save energy — they can strain your system.
Use ceiling or box fans when you’re in the room. But turn them off when you leave. Fans cool people, not rooms, but can make you feel three degrees cooler if you’re directly under or near them. This is less costly than lowering your thermostat.
Keep humidity below 60%. High humidity makes your home feel hotter. Let your A/C cycle periodically or use a dehumidifier.
Leave doors open inside your home. It helps with air circulation.
Maintain your system. Clean filters and get regular tune-ups to keep things running efficiently.
Consider a smart thermostat. These can adjust automatically based on your schedule — even if it changes from day to day.

Need to upgrade your A/C? Install today to receive an instant rebate — plus, qualify for tax credits up to $2,000 before year’s end.

Meet Brad

A seasoned Product Manager, Brad has more than 15 years' expertise in energy efficiency. He oversees our Residential Conservation Services and Low-Income Weatherization programs which support the completion of nearly 150,000 annual Home Energy Surveys – one of the nation's largest utility-run energy survey programs.

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Looking for more ways to save around the house?

You can find A/C settings and many other tips in our new House of Savings Challenge — an interactive, room-by-room experience that reveals simple, surprising ways to cut energy use and lower your bill. Take the challenge to learn about energy drains you didn’t even know were there — and turn them into savings for you.