Understanding how a simple setting affects both your comfort... and your bottom line
At AirGreen, we understand just how much commercial air conditioning represents a strategic investment for any building in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore and the South Shore. Yet even the most efficient HVAC system can lose performance if one crucial element is misconfigured: the thermostat. This small device, often overlooked, can be the cause of significant energy overconsumption, simply due to improper settings.
In this article, we explain why a poorly calibrated thermostat can send your bill soaring, how to avoid common mistakes, and how we at AirGreen help our commercial clients optimize their air conditioning system in a sustainable and cost-effective way.
The thermostat: the silent conductor of your air conditioning
The thermostat acts as the brain of the HVAC system. It determines when to turn the AC on or off and at what intensity. In a commercial context, where the volumes of air to treat are significant, each degree of difference has a direct impact on energy consumption.
Common thermostat setting mistakes
Here are some of the frequent errors we see during our service calls with commercial clients:
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Setting temperatures too low in summer: setting the thermostat to 19 °C during a heat wave causes the system to work excessively, drastically increasing the bill.
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Poorly adapted scheduling: systems running at night or on weekends when the premises are unoccupied.
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Improperly placed sensors: a thermostat installed too close to a sunny window or a heat-producing appliance gives false readings.
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Manual mode used constantly: some facility managers leave the system in "manual" mode year-round without using automation options.
The impact on your operating costs
A poorly set thermostat can lead to:
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Constant energy overload, since the air conditioner has to work longer to reach an unrealistic temperature.
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Premature wear of the compressor and other components, raising maintenance costs.
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Electricity bills 20 to 30% higher, according to Hydro-Québec.
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Uncomfortable indoor environments, affecting employee productivity or customer experience.
At AirGreen, we see these situations repeatedly during HVAC maintenance visits for commercial systems in Montréal and surrounding areas.
Case study: An office building in Laval
We were recently called in to analyze an abnormally high air conditioning bill at an office building in Laval. The client was using a high-performance central system by Goodman, installed two years earlier.
After inspection, we found that:
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The thermostat was set to 20 °C in summer, 24/7.
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The system ran continuously, even on weekends.
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The sensors were miscalibrated and placed too close to direct light sources.
AirGreen’s solution:
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Adjusted the thermostat to 23 °C with schedules adapted to the office’s activity.
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Relocated and calibrated the sensors.
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Integrated a smart thermostat with remote management.
Result: a 28% reduction in the electricity bill over 3 months.
Recommended settings to follow
Our experts recommend:
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In summer, for commercial spaces: 23 to 25 °C during business hours.
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Use time-based schedules that reflect actual occupancy.
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Activate “eco” modes during off-hours or when unoccupied.
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Choose a smart thermostat for remote control and overconsumption alerts.
The role of the smart thermostat in energy performance
Smart thermostats from brands like Honeywell, Ecobee, or Nest allow for proactive HVAC system optimization. At AirGreen, we often install these devices during upgrade projects, particularly on the South Shore and in Longueuil.
Their benefits include:
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Real-time consumption tracking.
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Automatic adjustment to space occupancy.
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Setting suggestions based on usage history.
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Alerts in case of overheating or abnormal operation.
Poorly configured thermostat = lost grants
One often overlooked point is that certain Hydro-Québec grants, especially those offered through the LogisVert program or energy efficiency incentives, require strict control of energy use. A misconfigured thermostat can:
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Cause you to fail an energy audit.
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Disqualify you from certain financial incentives.
At AirGreen, we make sure every system we install or renovate complies with the criteria required for the programs currently in effect in Montréal, Laval, and on both the North and South Shores.
Practical tips from AirGreen
Here are our recommendations for any company looking to reduce its air conditioning costs:
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Have your thermostats checked annually.
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Integrate smart thermostats if you have multiple cooling zones.
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Avoid continuous manual settings.
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Ask our technicians for custom programming of your equipment.
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Train users (facility managers, maintenance staff) to use the thermostat optimally.
Why choose AirGreen for your commercial air conditioning needs?
Our expertise goes beyond just installing equipment. We support the full lifecycle of your HVAC system:
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Personalized energy audits.
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Installation of commercial air conditioners (Goodman, Fujitsu, Gree, Lennox…).
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Smart thermostat programming.
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Regular maintenance and remote monitoring.
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Compliance management for grant programs.
With our on-site experience from Montréal to the North and South Shores, we offer HVAC solutions tailored to every commercial building, ensuring comfort, savings, and long-term performance.
Conclusion
A poorly set thermostat is a small detail that can cost you big. At AirGreen, we know that optimizing your air conditioning settings is just as important as the quality of the installed equipment. That’s why we offer our commercial clients a comprehensive approach combining modern technologies, intelligent energy management, and personalized support.
Unsure about your current settings? Contact us today for an inspection of your thermostat and a full analysis of your commercial HVAC system.