Asked on: February 26, 2015 by Paul from Sarasota I leave Florida in May every year and return the following January. What should I set my thermostat on for the summer? Should I unplug TVs, refrigerator, microwave, oven, etc.? I am also concerned about mildew. Thanks for your question, Paul. Here are some tips to help seasonal customers – like you – maximize savings, and prevent mold and other potential issues while you’re away. If you have a manual thermostatFPL recommends setting your air conditioning system to 80 degrees for detached homes and townhouses and 77 degrees for condos and apartments. These measures control the relative humidity (RH) in your vacant home by providing dehumidification to help prevent mold growth. If you have a programmable thermostatA programmable thermostat is a more energy-efficient and effective option. FPL recommends programming thermostats at 72 degrees for just two hours each morning before sunrise and at 88 degrees the rest of the time.

This will help prevent mold by removing moisture from the air during the cooler hours, when relative humidity (RH) is highest and your A/C runs most efficiently. Always set the A/C fan switch to the “auto” mode. Ceiling fans are not necessary since your A/C already circulates the air.how to wire outside ac unit Mold preventionThe most energy-efficient option to help prevent mold from developing in vacant homes is to use stand-alone dehumidifiers instead of the air conditioner.what size ac unit for 100 square feet Use one dehumidifier for every 1,000 square feet of floor area.top 10 window ac units Set the controls to 58 percent RH, and locate them by the kitchen sink or bathroom shower so water from the drainage tube can go down the drain.

Keep the doors to each room open to help the dry air mix with other air throughout the house. A floor fan set on low speed can help circulate dehumidified air to other rooms. You can add timers to the dehumidifiers and fans to limit their operation to 9 pm until noon each day. Other ways to save while you are away Save more by turning off the circuit breakers to the water heater and refrigerator. Make sure the refrigerator is clean and you have a way to keep the door open while you are gone. Unplug electronics to save money and protect them from lightning strikes during the rainy season. Remember, if it feels warm to the touch when it is plugged in, then it is consuming energy -- even when you are not using it. If you have cable or a satellite for your TV: When the TV is off, put your hand on the box that tunes the channels. If you feel any heat, keep it unplugged until you need it again when you return. Edited on 3/18/2015 to add:If you have an A/C with a humidistat, take a look at the snowbird tips we shared in a different blog post: http://bit.ly/1FEnsYG

In the heat of the summer, it’s tempting to run the air conditioning full blast 24/7. However, that’s not exactly environmentally friendly – or easy on your wallet. So what to do? How can you find that happy medium: an A/C temperature that will keep your home comfortably cool without turning you into an energy hog?Try the Energy Star Recommendation Energy Star recommends running your air conditioner at no lower than 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 Celsius) to maximum your home’s energy efficiency (which, in dollars and cents, translates to lowered electricity costs). This is very close to the national average high temperature for the month of May – in other words, a pleasant spring day.Find What’s Comfortable for YouExperiment with keeping your thermostat at the recommended 78-degree low for several days as you and your household go about your regular activities. How comfortable are you? Could you live with turning up the HVAC a few more degrees? Alternatively, do you have a family member who cannot tolerate high temperatures due to a medical condition?

(People with multiple sclerosis, for instance, frequently find their symptoms worsen in the heat.)Give Your HVAC a Helping HandShould you have a really hard time with an indoor temperature of 78 F, before you reach for the A/C remote there are a few more tips to try out. Give your HVAC system a boost with an electric fan or two (preferably ceiling mounted). These low-energy devices will help the chilled air to circulate and draw hot air upwards, leaving you feeling cooler.Painting your home a pale color that reflects the sun’s rays and shading sunny windows with shutters, blinds, or heavy drapes will play a part in reducing interior temperatures. Proper insulation benefits you in summer and winter alike, by limiting the amount of outside air that gets into the house.You can also help out your cooling system by using other appliances wisely. Run the dryer in off-peak hours (or take advantage of the sun’s free energy and hang your clothes to dry!). Similarly, use your stove early in the morning – for example, to bake chicken or vegetables to be served cold at suppertime.

Or enjoy some energy-conserving summer fun by hosting an outdoor barbecue!Especially if you are living in, say, Georgia, or another southern state, chances are you will be tempted to turn the temperature down to the lowest your Atlanta HVAC will go. However, there are more eco-friendly ways to stay cool. Live with the season by dressing appropriately – in loose clothing made of natural fabrics like cotton or linen. Even if you have to wear a suit for work, changing into casual summer outfits as soon as you get home will make you more physically comfortable and also send a subliminal message that it’s time to relax.Be sure to drink plenty of water and other liquids, while going easy on sugary, caffeinated beverages. This will not only keep you cooler, it’ll also keep you from getting dehydrated.Programmable thermostats come with several settings (usually Wake Up, Leave, Return, and Sleep) that allow you to choose different temperatures according to your needs at various times of the day.