Is Your Car Ready For A Summer Road Trip?

As summer temperatures climb and electricity bills follow suit, many people are asking the same question: Should I shut off the air conditioning when I’m not home to save money? Or should I blast it at cool temperatures to keep it more efficient? The answer is somewhere in the middle.

The Short Answer: It Depends

If you’re going to be gone for several hours, or even all day, turning the thermostat up to a slightly higher temperature can reduce energy use during a time when your home has no occupants.

But completely shutting off your system while you’re gone, or letting it heat up too far, could make things worse. It can force your A/C to work harder and longer once you get home, especially on hot days.

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Riley Peters, whose experience in the HVAC industry goes back nearly a decade, suggests setting your thermostat as warm as you are comfortable with while away.

“For some people that's 74, for some people that's 78,” he explains. “You can still kind of get the feel of conditioned air and it does feel colder than being outside.”

If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, it can do this for you automatically, and even begin cooling the house before you return. Beyond that, Peters recommends keeping your system’s fan on without using precious air conditioning.

“It's a good practice to have the fan running if you can control whether or not the fan’s running, versus the actual unit itself,” he reveals. “There's a lot of benefits for that, and I definitely would prescribe that to any homeowner.”

Americans Are Feeling the Heat, Financially

A 2024 survey by HVAC product manufacturer DuraPlas reveals 77% of Americans expect their summer energy bills to rise. The survey also found that 48% of respondents would cut back on dining out and entertainment to manage higher energy expenses. Moreover, 82% admit to having already made lifestyle adjustments due to rising energy costs.

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It doesn’t have to be this way. “One thing that's probably overlooked is the changing of an air filter," Peters explains. "Your air filter probably causes you more headaches than you may realize, and that's something that's easily changeable. They're fairly inexpensive, you know."

He adds, “I try to do it monthly."

Other Ways to Save

If you’re serious about cutting cooling costs, don’t rely on the thermostat alone. Closing blinds during the day, sealing air leaks, and using ceiling fans can make a big difference. “A lot of people wouldn't realize how much that helps with the temperature control of a home,” says Peters. “Overall for a healthier home, more circulation is generally better.”

New homeowners can also start at the source. “Be sure that the unit that you're using is appropriate for the square footage of your home,” Peters advises.

Bottom Line

Yes, raising the temperature on your thermostat when you're out can lead to real savings. But shutting the system off entirely could end up costing more in both comfort and wear and tear. Instead of flipping the switch to "off," set your thermostat higher and let your system take a break, not a full vacation.

By incorporating smart thermostat adjustments and other energy-saving practices, you can stay cool and keep your energy bills in check this summer.

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.