You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a refreshing temp during summer weather.
But what is the best setting, exactly? We discuss advice from energy professionals so you can choose the best temp for your residence.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Genoa.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and outdoor temps, your electrical expenses will be greater.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems warm, there are ways you can keep your home refreshing without having the air conditioner on all the time.
Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide extra insulation and enhanced energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they freshen through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too warm on the surface, try conducting an experiment for approximately a week. Begin by increasing your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually lower it while adhering to the advice above. You may be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning on all day while your residence is vacant. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you an estimated 5–15% on your air conditioning bills, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t useful and typically results in a higher electrical cost.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temperature under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to move the set temperature when you take off.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free remedy, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that could be too uncomfortable for many families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, based on your PJ and blanket preference.
We advise trying an equivalent test over a week, putting your temp higher and slowly lowering it to pick the ideal temp for your house. On cool nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than operating the air conditioner.
More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are other approaches you can save money on air conditioning bills throughout warm weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping electricity expenses down.
- Schedule yearly air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running smoothly and may help it run more efficiently. It could also help lengthen its life span, since it helps techs to discover little problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too much, and drive up your energy.
- Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air indoors.
Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Assured Appliance & Heating & Air
If you need to use less energy this summer, our Assured Appliance & Heating & Air specialists can assist you. Get in touch with us at 847-260-9583 or contact us online for more info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.
