You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at the right temperature during hot days.
But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy experts so you can choose the best temperature for your family.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Eastland.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a huge difference between your indoor and exterior temps, your electrical costs will be larger.
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 approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioning on frequently.
Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—inside. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to deliver more insulation and improved energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees higher without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too hot on the surface, try running an experiment for a week or so. Begin by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily decrease it while using the ideas above. You could be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning running all day while your home is empty. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees higher can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your air conditioning expenses, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t useful and usually results in a more expensive electrical cost.
A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your temp under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you go.
If you’re looking for a convenient resolution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We advise running a comparable test over a week, moving your temp higher and progressively decreasing it to select the right setting for your family. On mild nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable option than running the air conditioning.
More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are added methods you can spend less money on energy bills throughout warm weather.
- Get an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping electricity expenses down.
- Set annual air conditioner maintenance. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating like it should and might help it operate more efficiently. It can also help extend its life expectancy, since it enables technicians to spot seemingly insignificant issues before they create a major meltdown.
- Change air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too much, and drive up your electricity.
- Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can seep cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort problems in your home, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air indoors.
Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with J & J Air Conditioning
If you are looking to use less energy this summer, our J & J Air Conditioning specialists can assist you. Reach us at 254-355-3833 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling products.
