You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at the right setting during summer weather.
But what is the right temp, exactly? We go over recommendations from energy professionals so you can find the best temperature for your family.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Loganville.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your interior and exterior temperatures, your electricity costs will be greater.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds warm, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the AC running constantly.
Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver more insulation and enhanced energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they cool with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too hot on the surface, try running a trial for about a week. Get started by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while adhering to the advice above. You may be amazed at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner going all day while your house is empty. Switching the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your AC costs, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t productive and usually leads to a higher electrical expense.
A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your temperature in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you leave.
If you want a handy remedy, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it instinctively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for the majority of families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, depending on your PJ and blanket preference.
We recommend using an equivalent test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and slowly decreasing it to pinpoint the best temperature for your house. On cool nights, you might discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than running the AC.
More Methods to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather
There are added ways you can spend less money on AC bills throughout hot weather.
- Install an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping cooling costs down.
- Book annual air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it work at better efficiency. It can also help extend its life span, since it allows techs to pinpoint seemingly insignificant problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too much, and increase your electrical.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort issues in your home, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air inside.
Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Tony Beck Heating & Cooling
If you want to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Tony Beck Heating & Cooling pros can assist you. Get in touch with us at 770-466-2924 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling products.
