Understanding Your Thermostat: Settings That Save Money

The Energy-Saving Sweet Spots

Summer (Cooling):

• When home: 78°F
• Away/sleeping: 85°F or off
• Each degree above 72°F saves ~3% on cooling costs

Winter (Heating):

• When home: 68°F
• Away/sleeping: 62°F
• Each degree below 70°F saves ~3% on heating costs

Auto vs On: Fan Settings

• AUTO: Fan only runs during heating/cooling cycles (recommended)
• ON: Fan runs continuously (uses more energy but improves air circulation)

Smart Thermostat Benefits

Modern smart thermostats can:

• Learn your schedule and adjust automatically
• Be controlled remotely via phone
• Provide energy usage reports
• Integrate with other smart home devices
• Automatically adjust for weather changes

Peninsula-Specific Tips

Our mild climate means:

• You may not need AC on many days - open windows instead
• Morning fog often keeps homes cool naturally
• Coastal areas rarely need heating in summer

Programmable Schedule Example

Weekdays:

• 6am-8am: 72°F (morning comfort)
• 8am-5pm: 78°F (away)
• 5pm-10pm: 72°F (evening comfort)
• 10pm-6am: 68°F (sleeping)

Weekends:

Adjust based on your actual schedule