Keep Cooling Costs Low While You're Away This Summer

Family of four happily saves money with a green piggy bank and coins, emphasizing financial education for HVAC customers.

Ways to Save Energy and Money While Cooling an Empty Home

Summer is a busy season, and while most homeowners are leaving their homes empty to go to work or do fun things, it doesn’t mean they can’t find a way to keep their homes cool in the summer heat without having to fork over an excessive amount of money in energy bills. To keep homeowners from experiencing the sticker shock of a high summer electricity bill, HVAC experts have the following advice about cooling an empty home to help balance home comfort with energy savings.

78 Is the Magic Number

Hand adjusting a Nest thermostat displaying a cooling temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit, emphasizing energy-saving tips for cooling an empty home.The debate on the perfect home temperature when away from home has always been, excuse the pun, a heated one. Still, when considering energy usage and home comfort, many agree that the sweet spot is 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. 

When occupied, a home may not be comfortable enough at 78 degrees to get through the scorching summer heat. But when empty, 78 degrees is enough to keep a home from overheating without unnecessarily overworking the air conditioning. At this temperature, homes can save on energy bills even as they allow homeowners to come home to a house that has been kept comfortably sheltered from the worst of the summer heat.

Keep Temperatures Steady

Setting temperatures at extreme levels and making large temperature fluctuations in an attempt to have a cool house to come home to or to save money when no one is home won’t just result in high energy bills but can also result in unnecessary wear and tear on the air conditioner. 

Homeowners are advised to avoid setting the thermostat in such a way that would result in large temperature fluctuations when the home is empty and when people return to prevent this from happening. Making more minor fluctuations in temperature can prevent the AC from overworking and consuming more energy.  

Invest in a Smart Thermostat

Person installing a smart thermostat on a wall, showcasing advanced technology for energy efficiency and home comfort management.A common dilemma among homeowners who have to leave their homes for periods in the summer is how to conserve energy best and save money without sacrificing comfort. Modern technology can help with the availability of programmable and smart thermostats. Replacing an old thermostat with a smart or programmable one can give homeowners the flexibility and savings they crave but cannot get from older units. 

Because smart thermostats have more advanced settings, can automatically adjust the temperature to save energy, and can be set remotely from an app, homeowners can save money on cooling costs. They also don’t have to worry if their homes are too cold or too warm when they arrive since they can control their ACs remotely and change the temperature before returning home.

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has over two decades of experience serving Daytona Beach and the surrounding communities. They provide true transparency pricing, a membership plan, and financing. Call them today for smart thermostat installation and repair in Daytona Beach, FL.

3 Tips for Cutting Cooling Costs This Summer

White piggy bank with a smiling face, hand holding cash, and scattered coins for HVAC financial planning.

How To Stay Cool and Spend Less This Summer

As spring gives way to summer, Florida homeowners are already using their air conditioners around the clock to fight the growing heat and humidity. And since it’s only going to get hotter and muggier over the next few months, most homeowners will likely see their utility bills go up and up until September at the earliest. After all, the AC is generally the single biggest energy consumer in the entire home.

But there are ways to bring down that energy consumption and the monthly bills that go along with it. With simple modifications and eco-friendly habits, homeowners can save on their cooling costs without sacrificing comfort. So keep reading for three of the best hacks for saving money while staying cool and comfy all summer!

Invest in a Programmable or Smart ThermostatWoman adjusting a smart thermostat to optimize cooling efficiency in a modern home setting, illustrating energy-saving features for homeowners.

One great way to cut costs and make life easier is to replace that old analog thermostat with a programmable or “smart” model. With a programmable thermostat, homeowners can create a custom cooling schedule for every day of the week instead of adjusting the temperature manually. This can eliminate the likelihood of forgetting to change the thermostat setting and cooling an empty house while at work or on vacation.

With a smart thermostat, homeowners can make their cooling schedule. The thermostat will track usage patterns and either suggest energy-saving changes or implement them independently, depending on the model. Most smart thermostats can also be controlled remotely via a wireless device or laptop. Some come with advanced energy-saving features such as occupancy sensors, performance alerts, and weekly energy reports. 

Install Weatherstripping

Another trick to help reduce the electric bill every month is to install weatherstripping throughout the home. Weatherstripping is designed to seal the gaps around windows, doors, attic hatchments, or other portals to the outside world (or uninsulated home parts like a garage or crawlspace).

Weatherstripping comes in many forms, like foam tape, rubber gaskets, and flexible metal strips, to name just a few. Different designs and materials are suited for other doors and windows and can range widely in cost and ease of installation. However, most types of weather stripping are inexpensive, easy to install, and can be found in the local hardware store.

Weatherstripping can reduce energy consumption (and utility costs) by reducing the amount of cold air lost to the outdoors. The home will stay cool longer without needing the AC to run constantly. Even better for the electric bill, the same principle applies in the colder months. The home will retain warm air and keep the cold air out, reducing heating costs! 

Ceiling fan with three black blades, showcasing energy-efficient cooling solution for homes, promoting reduced air conditioning usage and lower utility costs.

Utilize Fans To Reduce AC Usage

Last but not least, homeowners can significantly reduce cooling costs by using their ceiling fans (or portable fans) more and their air conditioner less. Most modern fans use very little electricity, while even the most energy-efficient AC uses more than nearly any other home appliance. 

Turning on the ceiling fans (counterclockwise in the summer) will help circulate cool air in the home and produce a pleasant breeze to help lower body temperature. This will allow homeowners to raise the thermostat setting by at least a few degrees, which can lower costs by about 1% per degree (provided that the setting is maintained for 8 hours or more).

With this in mind, homeowners can further reduce their electric bill by setting the thermostat to a higher temperature while away from home or asleep, limiting their air conditioning usage to when needed most. Once these tips are implemented, homeowners may be pleasantly surprised by how much their utility costs have dropped!

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat has been proudly serving the residents of Daytona Beach, FL, and the surrounding areas since 2002. They provide transparent pricing, knowledgeable technicians, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for air conditioning services in Daytona Beach, FL.

Top Smart Thermostats To Keep Summer Cool

Smart thermostat and mobile app interface showing 73°F, highlighting Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat's HVAC solutions.

Three Options To Look at When Choosing a New Thermostat

Lives today are run by smartphones. They keep calendars and appointments. People can access the Internet and send emails and other messages in seconds. The HVAC industry is not lagging behind in this sector and has introduced smart thermostats. Now customers can control the temperatures in their homes from their phones. This saves people time, worry, and money through programmable and learning technology.

When Willis Carrier added the switch that made adjustments to temperature, he doubtless never could have predicted the technology that would come in 100 years later.

The T5+ Smart Thermostat From Honeywell HomeHoneywell T5+ Smart Thermostat displaying temperature setting of 72°F, featuring a sleek design and digital interface, relevant to HVAC technology and smart home integration.

Honeywell has been a well-known and reliable brand for years in the air conditioning market. Their T5+ thermostat works with the Honeywell app and is compatible with Apple Home Kit, Cortana, and Alexa, so changing the temperature can be as easy as speaking it.

One of the major selling points of this model is its use of geofencing. It uses a customer’s smartphone’s location to determine when to begin regulating temperatures within the house. This prevents energy wasted on temperature regulation in an empty house, putting money back in the homeowner’s pocket. It also gives alerts when filters need changing, or there is some other problem with the system.

Price Range: $110- $160

Ecobee Smart Thermostat with display showing temperature and a smart sensor, highlighting advanced features for energy efficiency and voice control compatibility.

The Voice-Controlled Ecobee Smart Thermostat

This Ecobee thermostat has a slightly higher price point, but it does have a few more features. Though it is also compatible with Apple Home Kit, it comes with Alexa and Spotify already included. It also comes with a smart sensor that one can control via the smartphone app or the thermostat itself. 

This thermostat detects whether or not there are occupants in the house and adjusts the energy-saving accordingly. It also calculates when energy is cheaper and cools more during those times. The company calculates that a homeowner can save up to 23% on energy costs.

Price: $249.99

The Nest Learning Thermostat From Google

The Google Nest Learning thermostat has been around since 2011 and was the first Energy Star rated thermostat. It only takes a week to learn the household routine and then use that information to program itself. 

According to Google, it can save 10-12% of energy when cooling and 10 % when heating and helps each family conserve energy by displaying a leaf when the temperature setting saves energy. The app tracks energy used so customers can see trends in their usage. It displays weather, temperature, and time when it senses someone in the room and comes in seven different colors:

  • Mirror Black
  • White
  • Brass
  • Stainless Steel
  • Black
  • Polished Steel
  • Copper

As with the other thermostats, it can be controlled from a smartphone app and uses sensors within the home and phone tracking to help determine temps. It sends alerts regarding maintenance and if something seems amiss, such as temps too low or too high in the home.

Price: $249

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

This Daytona Beach, FL-based company has been striving to keep people comfortable since 2002. Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has knowledgeable techs who will help customers find the thermostat that will fit their needs. Contact them today to install a smart thermostat

Keep Dad Cool With a New Air Conditioner Just In Time for Summer

Father and daughter in bright room, sharing joy with a red gift box; HVAC expert advice context.

Help Dad Save Money This Father’s Day With a New AC

The best gift to give dad this Father’s Day is another way to save money. With summer quickly approaching, one of the best ways to do this is with a new air conditioning unit. As it grows warmer outside, air conditioners become a necessity rather than a luxury within the home. Since the air conditioner is an essential appliance in the home, it must function properly. 

If the unit breaks down regularly or has exceeded its recommended lifespan, it may be time to consider replacing it. 

A Happy and Healthy HomeNew air conditioning units surrounded by greenery, emphasizing the importance of HVAC maintenance for a healthy home environment.

Air conditioners are meant to create a healthy environment within the home–free of allergens and dust. But this only happens if the air conditioner is taken care of. Neglecting necessary maintenance on an air conditioner can affect its ability to filter the air and keep the home healthy. Air conditioners that are not maintained or past their recommended lifespan can harbor moisture. 

They can also attract and hold allergens and collect mold, which blows back into the home. This exposes the residents to toxins and can result in respiratory issues. The best way to prevent these issues is to remember to perform the maintenance the air conditioner requires to function. It is also vital to replace the unit when recommended by a technician. New systems can prevent these health issues and last longer than older ones. 

Better Days and Better NightsMan sleeping peacefully in bed, emphasizing the importance of optimal sleep temperature and air quality for health and productivity.

Studies have proven that temperature plays a big role in our productivity and sleep. The optimal temperature for productivity is between 70 and 73 degrees, while the optimal temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees. With many people working from home now, it is even more important that the home air conditioner can accommodate temperatures for productivity and sleep. 

If the air conditioner is not able to cool to the degree it needs to, it may be time to replace the unit with one that meets the needs of the home. It is also important to make sure the unit is the right size for the home. It will not cool the area if it is too small and could even result in the air conditioner breaking down. 

Energy Efficiency 

The biggest benefit to a new air conditioner is the potential for an energy-efficient model. Air conditioning systems are responsible for half of a home’s monthly energy bill. New air conditioners can lower that bill by a significant margin. Air conditioners are evaluated and given a SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Ratio). High SEER ratings mean the unit is efficient and can save money. Most states require air conditioners to have a SEER rating of 13 or above. 

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. 

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. is an A+ rated company in the Daytona Beach, FL area. They have been recognized in their community for their exceptional customer service and highest quality installation. Give them a call today for air conditioning services!