CBS Austin: Money-Saving HVAC Tips for Fall’s Flip-Flop Temps
September 17, 2025
By Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
Posted In: Austin
The original video and article appear on the CBS Austin website »
Austin, TX - As Central Texas shifts from crisp mornings to 90s by afternoon, it’s tempting to flip the thermostat from cool to heat (or even turn the A/C off completely). But that habit can cost you.
Vic Fredlund, operations manager with Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Electrical says the bigger afternoon warm-up means your A/C must work much longer to bring the house back down if it’s been off or left in heat mode.
“We’re still at the time of the year when it is gonna be 95, 98 degrees in the afternoon. And now the house temperature has risen because the air conditioner is off or is not coming on because it’s set to heat.”
That longer “catch-up” cycle = higher bills.
“Now you’ve got a greater run time to try to pull that temperature back down to what you want it to be than had you just left it at a moderate temperature when you left, or even forgotten to turn the air conditioner back on.”
With cooler weather and holidays right around the corner, Vic also says it's a good idea to get your heater checked now before the rush.