Since 2007, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 has effectively extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks beginning on the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November. Originally, the aim of DST was to “increase” the amount of daylight, which would in turn reduce the need for electricity, especially during seasons when daytime extends far longer than it normally would.
With this objective, you can maximize the efficiency of your residential HVAC installation by following the tips offered by our experts at M&M below.
Thermostat Settings
When you set the clock forward by an hour, don’t forget to do the same for your thermostat if it doesn’t adjust on its own, particularly if your home has a smart thermostat that controls temperature levels automatically. Extended daylight hours mean that you can set your air conditioning to turn on an hour later than usual. This is basically just “borrowing” an hour’s consumption from the future, but the effects are most noticeable in November when DST ends.
Temperature Controls
For a residential HVAC installation, setting your thermostat one degree higher or lower (depending on the season) than its usual levels can easily save you about 10% on your utility bills. At the end of the day, program your thermostat to activate about an hour before you get home. This will make it so your home’s comfort level is optimal the minute you step inside.
Overall Savings
According to a 2008 survey by the Energy Department, adjusting for DST changes nets a difference of around 0.5% in day-to-day usage. While this might not sound like much for an average household, overall the savings account for more than 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours in more than 100,000 homes annually.
DST-Ready Residential HVAC Installation
Our HVAC specialists at M&M can help maximize your home’s energy efficiency as well as your savings during DST. Call us now at (209) 952-6580 and ask us about energy saving tips for this season. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment today.
