Your thermostat setting is the easiest way to control your power bill. Here are sensible settings for summer and winter in North Alabama, a few heat pump rules that trip people up, and the HVAC problems that can make a bill jump.
Winter: 68 to 70 degrees while you are home
The U.S. Department of Energy suggests 68 to 70 degrees while you are awake, and lower while you sleep or are away. Is 72 okay? Sure, if that is what keeps your family comfortable. Just know that every degree higher adds to the bill.
Summer: as warm as you are comfortable
DOE’s advice for summer is to set the thermostat as high as is comfortable when you are home. Many people find 76 to 78 degrees comfortable with ceiling fans running. Is 75 okay? Yes. Comfort comes first. The bigger savings come from not over-cooling an empty house.
Setbacks save money, with one exception
DOE says you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning the thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day, such as while you are at work.
The exception is a heat pump in winter. A big setback means a big recovery in the morning, and that often turns on the electric backup heat strips, which cost much more to run. DOE notes this can cancel out the savings. With a heat pump, keep winter setbacks to about 2 to 3 degrees, or use a smart thermostat designed for heat pumps. See our guide to heat pumps in winter.
Fan: Auto, not On
On Auto, the fan runs only while the system is heating or cooling. On On, it runs all the time. That uses more electricity, and in summer it can blow moisture from the wet coil back into the house, making it feel muggy.
Why is my electric bill so high in summer?
Some increase is normal. When it is in the 90s, your AC runs many more hours. But a jump beyond the weather often points to a problem:
- A dirty filter or dirty coils
- Low refrigerant from a leak (see AC not blowing cold air)
- Leaky ducts. ENERGY STAR says a typical house loses about 20 to 30% of the air moving through its ducts to leaks, holes and poor connections.
- An older, less efficient system
- A system that never shuts off
Why is my bill high in winter?
- Heat pump backup strips running too much (big setbacks, a defrost problem, or low refrigerant)
- Emergency heat left on by mistake
- Space heaters
- Leaky ducts in a cold attic or crawlspace
My bill is way more than normal. What should I check?
Compare kilowatt-hours, not just dollars, since rates change. Then check that the thermostat is not on Emergency Heat, the filter is clean, and the system is shutting off on its own. If the system runs nonstop or the bill doubled without a weather reason, have it checked.
Quick wins
- Change the filter every 1 to 3 months
- Keep the outdoor unit clear
- Close blinds on sunny west and south windows in summer
- Run ceiling fans counterclockwise in summer, and turn them off in empty rooms
- Seal and insulate leaky ducts (duct repair)
- Schedule a yearly tune-up
Call North Alabama Heating & A/C at (256) 534-2941. We have served Huntsville, Madison and North Alabama since 1977, Monday to Saturday, 7 AM to 7 PM.
Quick answers
Is 68 a good temperature for heat in the winter?
Yes. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests 68 to 70 degrees while you are awake and a lower setting while you sleep or are away. With a heat pump, keep setbacks small, about 2 to 3 degrees, to avoid running the backup heat strips.
Is 78 too hot for AC?
Not for most people, especially with ceiling fans. DOE suggests setting it as high as is comfortable when you are home. Many households are comfortable between 76 and 78 degrees.
Why is my electric bill so high in summer?
Longer run times in hot weather are normal, but a sudden jump often comes from a dirty filter or coil, low refrigerant, leaky ducts, an aging system, or a system that never shuts off.
