Best Thermostat Settings and Practices for Florida Weather

If you live in Florida, there are several thermostat settings that you should be using. You can learn more by checking out this guide.

Florida is known as the Sunshine State—and with good reason! There are an average of 237 sunny days in Florida each year, well ahead of the national average of 205 days. Florida experiences warm summers and mild winters, making it a perfect year-round destination.

Whether you live in Florida year-round or reside here for certain parts of the year, it's important to understand the best thermostat setting and practices in order to reduce your energy spending. In this blog post, your expert team at Friendly A/C will highlight everything you need to know about home thermostats in Florida and how you can increase comfort while decreasing energy bills. Let's get started.

What Are the Average Temperatures in Florida?

Firstly, let's take a look at the average temperatures in Florida throughout the year. The three coldest months in Florida are December, January, and February, which all average 61°F. From here, the temperature gradually increases month-by-month (March averages 68°F, April averages 72°F, and May averages 77°F) until the warmest months of the summer.

The average temperature in June is 81°F, with the following two months, July and August, averaging the yearly high of 82°F, before cooling slightly in September to 81°F. We start to see cooler weather in both October (75°F) and November (66°F) before the coldest months arrive once again.

In terms of average highs, July and August share the top spot with highs of 91°F. On the other hand, the average lows are seen in January and December (both 48°F).

Better Thermostat Settings for Summer

When the warm weather arrives in Florida, the most appropriate air conditioning temperature is 78°F. When you and your family are away during the middle of the day, whether at work or school, you can increase the temperature by a few degrees. By setting your air conditioning to 78°F instead of 70°F, you can greatly reduce its operating costs and save money.

If your home has ceiling fans, it's worth running both them and the air conditioning unit at the same time. This way, you can increase the temperature on the thermostat by a few degrees (to 80°F or 81°F, for example). This is because the ceiling fans will make the room feel cooler than it actually is, while helping you to save between 15% and 25% on your energy costs.

While the air conditioning is running, remember to keep doors and windows closed. It's also important to change the air conditioner's filter once a month during times of heavy use. When it becomes clogged, airflow is restricted, which increases the cooling costs.

We recommend that you invest in a programmable thermostat. It allows homeowners to program the exact temperature they wish to have at different times of the day (such as when no one is at home). The automation also increases convenience and savings, while providing reliable precision.

A smart thermostat allows homeowners to program their thermostats remotely using their smartphone or computer. This makes it easier to set the most appropriate temperature based on different factors.

Better Thermostat Settings for Winter

When the colder Florida weather approaches, there is nothing like spending more time at home, surrounded by family and friends. However, with the extra time we all tend to spend indoors during the winter months, it's important that we remain warm and comfortable. It's also important to be cognizant of our energy usage so as to avoid unpleasant surprises when the next energy bill arrives.

In Florida, the most appropriate winter thermostat temperature is 68°F. This temperature will ensure that you and your family remain comfortable while also conserving energy. If you do find this temperature to be a bit low for your family, you can increase the temperature by a couple of degrees.

For maximum efficiency, it is recommended that homeowners reduce the temperature by seven to ten degrees for eight hours during the day (for example, when the house is not occupied between 9 am and 5 pm). With this routine, homeowners can reduce their energy costs by 10% per year.

Again, there are benefits to investing in a smart, programmable thermostat. Thankfully, winters in Florida are generally mild, which means that homeowners don't have the worry about severe cold. Useful tips to maintain heat indoors in the winter include:

• Seal any cracks around the doors and windows

• Use winter bedding to stay cozy at night

• Use heavy curtains to trap heat indoors

We also recommend that you schedule twice-year air conditioning services to keep your unit in tip-top working condition. It's also important to be proactive in addressing any issues with your unit and to employ the services of an experienced company, such as Friendly A/C.

To recap, the most appropriate thermostat temperature in the summer is 78°F. In the winter, the most appropriate thermostat temperature is 68°F. A programmable thermostat makes it easy for homeowners to navigate the swings in temperature in Florida.

The Best Thermostat Settings and Practices for Florida

Whatever time of the year, there are certain thermostat settings and practices that ensure that homeowners in Florida are comfortable in their homes without wasting energy unnecessarily.

In South Florida, your premier air conditioning company is Friendly A/C. We are family-owned and operated, with more than a decade of experience in the industry. We offer a range of air conditioning services, including:

• Installation

• Maintenance

• Repair

• Replacement

Rest assured that you are fully licensed and insured for your peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule a service.