You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at the right setting during hot days.
But what is the best temperature, exactly? We review recommendations from energy pros so you can determine the best temperature for your loved ones.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Narvon.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your indoor and outside temps, your AC bills will be higher.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds too high, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioning on all the time.
Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to give extra insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable initially, try doing an experiment for about a week. Get started by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively lower it while adhering to the tips above. You could be surprised at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning going all day while your home is unoccupied. Switching the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 5–15% on your cooling expenses, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t productive and often produces a bigger electricity bill.
A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your temperature controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you run the risk of forgetting to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you’re looking for a convenient fix, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it automatically changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and change temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that might be unbearable for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that may be too chilly, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We suggest running a similar test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and gradually lowering it to pinpoint the ideal temperature for your house. On cool nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than running the air conditioning.
More Methods to Conserve Energy This Summer
There are other ways you can save money on utility bills throughout warm weather.
- Install an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping cooling costs low.
- Book annual air conditioner maintenance. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working smoothly and could help it work at better efficiency. It can also help extend its life expectancy, since it helps techs to spot little issues before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too much, and drive up your energy.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of homes in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort problems in your house, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air indoors.
Use Less Energy This Summer with Ameri-Tec
If you need to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Ameri-Tec professionals can assist you. Get in touch with us at 717-479-4950 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.