Latest news with #smartThermostat
CBS News
24-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Is your thermostat in the wrong spot? Why it could be costing you in this heat wave
How to save money on your energy costs during a heat wave | In Your Corner How to save money on your energy costs during a heat wave | In Your Corner How to save money on your energy costs during a heat wave | In Your Corner While the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to at least 78 degrees, there are other things you can do around your house to try to stay cool and keep costs down without sacrificing too much comfort. As heat index values could reach as high as 110 degrees, your air conditioning will likely be working overtime. To ensure it's running as efficiently as possible, check the filter. Experts recommend you change your HVAC filter every one to two months. A clogged filter can reduce airflow and put extra strain on the system, according to Philadelphia-based Lawrence Heating and Air. CBS Philadelphia Adding a smart or programmable thermostat can also help you save by scheduling the temperature to increase when you leave and cool down by the time you get home or go to bed. Some local utilities, like PECO, might also offer rebates for installing a smart thermostat. The U.S. Department of Energy says you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by adjusting your thermostat seven to 10 degrees from its normal setting for up to eight hours a day. Location, location, location But even if your system is running smoothly, the location of your thermostat could make a substantial difference. An interior wall in a central, frequently used room, like the living room, is an ideal place to ensure it is reading accurate temperatures. Placing it above air vents, near windows or doors, or in direct sunlight can cause your system to run unnecessarily, increasing your costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Likewise, make sure it's not near any lamps, electronics, like TVs, or appliances that emit heat. Other ways to save energy Fans can help keep air circulating while using less energy. Just make sure your ceiling fan is set to spin counterclockwise so that it's blowing cooler air down. Your fan should have a switch near its motor to change its direction. CBS Philadelphia Avoiding oven use and air-drying dishes instead of running the heated dry option on your dishwasher can also help keep things cooler inside your home. Waiting to use appliances until nightfall during off-peak hours can also save energy and money. Also, take a look around your home to make sure you don't have cracks around your doors or windows, or any leaks in your ductwork or around your window A/C unit. You don't want your cool air escaping or warm air coming in. PECO, PPL, Atlantic City Electric and PSE&G all offer home assessments or audits — either for a low cost or no cost — where someone can come out and help you find where you could be losing energy and money. Do you have a money question, a consumer issue, or a scam story you want to share? Email InYourCorner@
CNET
14-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNET
6 Summer Cooling Hacks That Can Slash Your Electric Bill
Summer is almost here bringing warm days, shorter nights and a rising electricity bill as you try to stay cool while it's scorching outside. Last summer we saw record-breaking temperatures, making it the hottest summer on record and that directly translates into higher electricity bills from running fans and air conditioners. When dealing with sweltering temperatures, you need an air conditioner that can keep your home cool. It's understandable to want a comfortable environment, but it's also important to remain conscious of how energy-efficient your home is. You may be tempted to turn the temperature on your thermostat all the way down, but lowering the temp will raise your electric bill. So, we've compiled some tips to keep your home as cool as possible while minimizing the amount of electricity you use. Something as simple as turning on a fan or closing the blinds during the day can make a big difference. Here are six tricks to keep your home cool and use your thermostat more economically when it's warmer outside. (For more, we also recommend investing in a smart plug or a smart thermostat, adjusting the temperature of your thermostat and weather-stripping to save extra cash.) 1. Sign up for an energy audit CNET If your home isn't brand new, the cold air inside is probably seeping out through doors and windows with spotty seals, a poorly insulated attic and other locations of sneaky cracks. To see how well your home is holding in the cold, sign up for a home energy audit with your utility provider or a local contractor. A certified home energy rater or auditor will check your home for leaks and recommend the best way to make your home more energy-efficient. Don't want to spring for an audit? You can do a DIY audit instead. Stand outside your home and run your hand around the windows and doors. Can you feel the cold air escaping? If you do, caulk around leaky windows and add insulation around doors. Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:15 Loaded : 100.00% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:15 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money 2. Get a smart thermostat If you haven't upgraded to a smart thermostat -- such as one by Ecobee or Nest -- it might be time to make a change. Smart thermostats can regulate heating and cooling when you're not home to save money. Plus, you can adjust the settings remotely using an app on your phone or via voice commands. Here's our list of the best smart thermostats to help you make the best decision for your home. 3. Check the placement of your thermostat Thermostat placement can play a big part in how well your air conditioner works. If you put the thermostat on a wall right next to a hot window, for instance, your air conditioner will kick on much more often than it needs to because your thermostat will think the room is hotter than it actually is. Here's how to pick the perfect wall for your thermostat and the ideal temperature you should set it to. You can also consider a smart thermostat that comes with extra room sensors, allowing it to keep track of the temperature throughout your home. 4. Close the blinds A window letting in the hot sun won't just heat up your thermostat, it'll heat you up, too. During the warmest part of the day, close your blinds to keep out the sun. It can also help insulate your windows, which stops the cold air from escaping. There are also special insulating blinds, curtains and drapes that can keep your home even cooler. A fan can help save on cooling costs. Chris Monroe/CNET 5. Try a ceiling fan You don't always need to amp up the AC to feel cooler. Using a ceiling fan can make a room feel cooler, enough that you can increase the thermostat temperature by 4 degrees "with no reduction in comfort." If you want to get high-tech, you can install a smart ceiling fan that connects to an app and automatically adjusts based on schedules you create. Just make sure your fan is rotating counterclockwise in the summer to get the most benefit. 6. Increase the temperature To save the most money, always set your thermostat to the highest temperature you can comfortably stand. A programmable thermostat makes it easy to keep your AC at the right temperature. You can program the unit to hold at higher temperatures while you're at work and cool down right before you get home. You can save 10% a year on your cooling bills by setting your thermostat just 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit higher for 8 hours each day, according to the Nebraska Energy Office. The US Department of Energy recommends aiming for an indoor temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. If 78 degrees isn't doable for you, even a small change in temperature can knock your energy bill down by up to 3% annually. For more energy savings, explore our home sustainability cheat sheet full of eco-friendly tips and read about how you can save money by unplugging certain appliances when not using them. More money-saving hacks for your home
CNET
21-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNET
Slash Your Summer Electric Bills With These Home Tips
Summer is almost here bringing warm days, shorter nights and a rising electricity bill as you try to stay cool while it's scorching outside. Last summer we saw record-breaking temperatures, making it the hottest summer on record and that directly translates into higher electricity bills from running fans and air conditioners. When dealing with sweltering temperatures, you need an air conditioner that can keep your home cool. It's understandable to want a comfortable environment, but it's also important to remain conscious of how energy-efficient your home is. You may be tempted to turn the temperature on your thermostat all the way down, but lowering the temp will raise your electric bill. So, we've compiled some tips to keep your home as cool as possible while minimizing the amount of electricity you use. Something as simple as turning on a fan or closing the blinds during the day can make a big difference. Here are six tricks to keep your home cool and use your thermostat more economically when it's warmer outside. (For more, we also recommend investing in a smart plug or a smart thermostat, adjusting the temperature of your thermostat and weather-stripping to save extra cash.) 1. Sign up for an energy audit CNET If your home isn't brand new, the cold air inside is probably seeping out through doors and windows with spotty seals, a poorly insulated attic and other locations of sneaky cracks. To see how well your home is holding in the cold, sign up for a home energy audit with your utility provider or a local contractor. A certified home energy rater or auditor will check your home for leaks and recommend the best way to make your home more energy-efficient. Don't want to spring for an audit? You can do a DIY audit instead. Stand outside your home and run your hand around the windows and doors. Can you feel the cold air escaping? If you do, caulk around leaky windows and add insulation around doors. Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 8:13 Loaded : 6.10% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 8:13 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money 2. Get a smart thermostat If you haven't upgraded to a smart thermostat -- such as one by Ecobee or Nest -- it might be time to make a change. Smart thermostats can regulate heating and cooling when you're not home to save money. Plus, you can adjust the settings remotely using an app on your phone or via voice commands. Here's our list of the best smart thermostats to help you make the best decision for your home. 3. Check the placement of your thermostat Thermostat placement can play a big part in how well your air conditioner works. If you put the thermostat on a wall right next to a hot window, for instance, your air conditioner will kick on much more often than it needs to because your thermostat will think the room is hotter than it actually is. Here's how to pick the perfect wall for your thermostat and the ideal temperature you should set it to. You can also consider a smart thermostat that comes with extra room sensors, allowing it to keep track of the temperature throughout your home. 4. Close the blinds A window letting in the hot sun won't just heat up your thermostat, it'll heat you up, too. During the warmest part of the day, close your blinds to keep out the sun. It can also help insulate your windows, which stops the cold air from escaping. There are also special insulating blinds, curtains and drapes that can keep your home even cooler. A fan can help save on cooling costs. Chris Monroe/CNET 5. Try a ceiling fan You don't always need to amp up the AC to feel cooler. Using a ceiling fan can make a room feel cooler, enough that you can increase the thermostat temperature by 4 degrees "with no reduction in comfort." If you want to get high-tech, you can install a smart ceiling fan that connects to an app and automatically adjusts based on schedules you create. Just make sure your fan is rotating counterclockwise in the summer to get the most benefit. 6. Increase the temperature To save the most money, always set your thermostat to the highest temperature you can comfortably stand. A programmable thermostat makes it easy to keep your AC at the right temperature. You can program the unit to hold at higher temperatures while you're at work and cool down right before you get home. You can save 10% a year on your cooling bills by setting your thermostat just 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit higher for 8 hours each day, according to the Nebraska Energy Office. The US Department of Energy recommends aiming for an indoor temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. If 78 degrees isn't doable for you, even a small change in temperature can knock your energy bill down by up to 3% annually. For more energy savings, explore our home sustainability cheat sheet full of eco-friendly tips and read about how you can save money by unplugging certain appliances when not using them. More money-saving hacks for your home
