You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant setting during hot days.
But what is the best setting, exactly? We review recommendations from energy professionals so you can choose the best temp for your loved ones.
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 huge difference between your inside and outside warmth, your electricity bills will be greater.
These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears hot, there are ways you can keep your residence pleasant without having the air conditioning running constantly.
Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cold air where it should be—inside. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to offer extra insulation and better energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they cool with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too warm at first glance, try doing a trial for approximately a week. Start by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while adhering to the ideas above. You might be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner working all day while your residence is unoccupied. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your AC expenses, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t productive and usually leads to a more expensive air conditioner expense.
A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your temp under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you leave.
If you want a convenient fix, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re away. Then it instinctively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and change temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for most families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 65–68 degrees. But that may be too cool, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend trying a comparable test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and slowly lowering it to locate the right setting for your residence. On pleasant nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior idea than using the air conditioning.
More Ways to Save Energy During Hot Weather
There are added approaches you can save money on AC bills throughout the summer.
- Get an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping electrical costs small.
- Book yearly air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working smoothly and could help it run at greater efficiency. It may also help extend its life expectancy, since it enables techs to uncover small issues before they cause a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and raise your utility.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of houses in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort troubles in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air indoors.
Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Assured Appliance & Heating & Air
If you want to save more energy during warm weather, our Assured Appliance & Heating & Air specialists can assist you. Give us a call at 847-260-9583 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling products.
