How much savings by raising thermostat?

AZSun

I have the thermostat set at 79 degrees in the summer when I run the air conditioning. What percent savings be achieved by raising the thermostat by two or three degrees to 81 or 82? I live in Arizona so humidity isn't a factor. My A/C unit is 5 ton, built in 1995, but has only had 11 years of use since first owner of house was never present in summer. I don't know what specific number insulation the house has, but it's the blow-in type in the attic vs thick pads. I don't change the thermostat, but rather leave leave it at a set temperature.

beenthere

About a 2% savings for every degree you raise it.

JJboy

You already have the thermostat set to save with that temperature. Increasing the temperature it will compromising your comfort.

__________________

**Always kill the power ** Hot air rises, but heat will always move from higher to lower temperatures. ** Real man shoot in manual. ** If it ain't grounded, it ain't dead.

AZSun

I know, but I'm willing to sacrifice some comfort in order to save money. I'll just use more fans.

gregzoll

You are not going to save money using room fans. I would shop around for a better electric supplier if you can, but where you have the thermostat now, is in line with EPA Energy savings guidelines.

Mrdippy

Do you not have ceiling fans? Adding extra fans to my home wouldn't serve any purpose since every room has a ceiling fan I can use.

beenthere

Ceiling fans use a lot of electric when you have several running at a time. The A/C can end up being cheaper to use at a slightly lower set temp.

AZSun

I have three ceiling fans in my house and if I read that a 52" ceiling fan uses 90 watts at high speed. So if I have all three on high that's 270 watts vs 3500 watts for a 5 ton A/C. I don't understand how there is no savings by raising an a/c thermostat.

beenthere

Those 3 fans generate almost 1,000 BTUs of heat, so your A/C also has to remove that heat.

Check the actual wattage of the fans and the A/C.

Mrdippy

Good points folks! I keep my ceiling fans on low just to keep air mixing... I believe a ceiling fan on low would be mixing an entire room using less power than a common portable fan. HIGH on a ceiling fan is probably only a good idea when you have no AC....