You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant setting during muggy weather.
But what is the right setting, exactly? We review ideas from energy pros so you can select the best temperature for your loved ones.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in East Bernard.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a huge difference between your interior and outdoor temps, your electrical costs will be larger.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems hot, there are methods you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioning running frequently.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide extra insulation and enhanced energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s because they cool through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable initially, try conducting a trial for about a week. Get started by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily turn it down while adhering to the ideas above. You might be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC working all day while your house is unoccupied. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your air conditioning bills, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t effective and often produces a more expensive cooling bill.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temp under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you want a hassle-free solution, consider installing 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 modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? About $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for many families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping space is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 65–68 degrees. But that could be too cold, due to your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend trying an equivalent test over a week, moving your temperature higher and slowly decreasing it to pick the right temp for your family. On mild nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior option than operating the AC.
More Approaches to Save Energy This Summer
There are extra approaches you can spend less money on AC bills throughout warm weather.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping electrical bills down.
- Book regular air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working properly and might help it run more efficiently. It can also help extend its life span, since it enables pros to uncover small problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too often, and increase your electrical.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort troubles in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air inside.
Save More Energy During Warm Weather with E.B. Air
If you need to use less energy during hot weather, our E.B. Air specialists can help. Reach us at 979-335-4262 or contact us online for more info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.