A myth about your home’s thermostat

Some people believe they are saving money by turning off the heating and air-conditioning system when they’re at work or away for several hours.

Not true.

Actually, that approach is counterproductive.

It’s better to leave the heat or AC running, but adjusted by several degrees to acknowledge the home is empty. This means your home stays reasonably conditioned; turning off the thermostat may leave it too chilly or too warm when you return.

Getting the thermostat from a dead stop to your desired temperature takes a lot of work from the HVAC system, meaning you are running up your energy bill and shortening the system’s longevity.

Turning off the system also eliminates the HVAC system’s ability to modulate indoor humidity, a big factor in determining your comfort.

Summertime blues?

Here’s a recommendation if you’re slogging through one of these muggy summers that bedevil New York City and Long Island:

Before you leave home, turn your AC up by five or 10 degrees. The system will get a break while you’re gone and it will quickly respond to your request for a lower temperature when you’re home.

Better yet, get a programmable thermostat. It will do these tasks and more – and reduce your utility bill, too!

AC problems in Park Slope? Lighthouse HVAC, based in Brooklyn, responds quickly and offers sensible solutions.