I’m always for the simplest, most logical strategies when it comes to solving any sort of challenge.
That’s why it’s sort of surprising that, after living here for seven years, I didn’t think of this HVAC saving strategy before.
Like most folks who move from the north to the south, I celebrated the winter but dreaded the summer heat. Still, I would trade the gas furnace heating in the winter for the minimal heat pump heating every single time. I just can’t do winters like that any longer. Too cold and too expensive for the HVAC heating. Yet, there is the summer heat to contend with. There is at least a four month stretch where the heat and humidity hover right around the triple digit mark. And that can be a tough combination to deal with. Thankfully, we can all count on HVAC cooling we get from the heat pump. But, as it is with most newcomers to this region, I tended to go too deep on the air conditioning. That meant I was really paying a bunch for HVAC utilities during the summer months. But a friend of mine gave me a very simple way to avoid over HVAC cooling the house. He suggested that I not immediately hit the thermostat for air conditioning in the spring as the temps begin to climb. Doing so helps the body acclimate to the heat. This is key because when the real serious heat of summer hits, a thermostat setting in the low 80’s feels most cooling and comfortable. I did just that this past spring and not only enjoyed the summer more but I saved a ton on air conditioning costs.
Zone control