A homeowner took to Instagram to test and tout a hack that is sure to save you big money on your energy bill by how you control your air conditioner.
The scoop
Caden McDonald (@cadenmcdonald) posted an Instagram reel trying out a surprisingly simple hack to save you money on your monthly energy bill.
The trick: set your thermostat to your desired temperature and just leave it there.
"We tried it this past month," McDonald says. "Our bill was cut in half."
How it's helping
Traditional wisdom has long dictated that the best way to be energy-efficient with your HVAC system is to set the temperature higher during the day or when you're not home, and lower it at night to cool the house to the desired temperature. The thinking was that with the cooler nighttime air, the unit wouldn't have to work as hard to keep the house cool and comfortable, and it would maintain that temperature longer into the day.
However, the logic there is flawed. Regularly raising and lowering the temperature of your thermostat allows the air, the walls, and the furniture in your house to retain more heat, forcing the system to work harder to cool it back down in the evening. It runs longer and requires more energy than simply leaving it at a constant temperature.
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If your home is properly weatherized and insulated, it should both maintain your ideal temperature and save you money on your energy bill.
For even deeper AC savings, you can upgrade your HVAC system to an ultra-efficient heat pump, which keeps your home comfortable while reducing your energy needs. Mitsubishi specializes in highly affordable mini-split systems that can be tailored specifically to your home's needs to maximize savings on a room-by-room basis.
Of course, the best hack to save on your energy bill is to install solar panels on your home. They can reduce your monthly energy bill to zero and ensure your home is powered by clean energy. EnergySage has free tools that can save you up to $10,000 on installing them on your home and get you vetted local quotes from reputable installers.
What everyone's saying
Commenters loved this hack.
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"As a HVAC technician, this is correct," said one.
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Do you think your AC unit works efficiently? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Definitely 👍 "I thought this was hella common sense," said another.
"And that's why my dad said don't touch the thermostat," joked a third.
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