What do I set my thermostat to?

The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly.

Set the thermostat at the highest summer setting or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings are 78 degrees for summer cooling and 70 degrees for winter heating. When cooling, your operating costs increase from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is lowered.

In hot weather, should I turn my thermostat up when I leave for work in the morning?

If your house is going to be empty for more than about four hours, it is a good idea to turn your thermostat up to about 82 degrees instead of 78, which is usually recommended.

When you come home, do not set the thermostat any lower than the temperature you actually desire. Your air-conditioning system will not cool any faster and can easily waste money by cooling your home more than is needed.

Should a thermostat be set to “auto” or “on”?

When the thermostat is set to “auto,” the fan operates only when the temperature requires it.

This is the most used setting. However, there are advantages to using the “on” setting. First of all, the air in the house is constantly filtered through the unit’s air filter. Secondly, the constantly circulating air results in an even temperature throughout the house.