It’s summer. The idea of going outside to face 100 degree weather at 8:00 AM makes me want to cry. The temptation to turn the AC thermostat down to 70 degrees is really tempting. But the thought of a $200 electric bill keeps me in check. Can someone please remind me why I moved away from the beach to live in the desert?

One way to reduce your electric bill is really simple – watch that thermostat. “For every 1 degree you raise your thermostat, you could be saving 2% on your power bill.” If you’re gone for the day, consider bumping the thermostat up to 80. When you come home, lower the thermostat to 76. You could also kick up the thermostat when you go to bed at night.

I’m a forgetful person. Fortunately, programmable thermostats make it really easy to keep your power bill from getting out of control.

You can save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10 °’“15 ° for eight hours. You can do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or air-conditioning according to a pre-set schedule. As a result, you don’t operate the equipment as much when you are asleep or when the house is not occupied.

Sounds like another one of those minor house repairs for the tool-belt wearing person in your household.

What’s your take on the great thermostat debate? Do you save more money by turning the AC off completely when no one is home, or do you save more money by simply turning up the thermostat to above 80 degrees?

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