You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a pleasant temperature during warm days.
But what is the best temp, exactly? We review advice from energy professionals so you can choose the best setting for your loved ones.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Norton.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and exterior temperatures, your electrical bills will be bigger.
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 approaches you can keep your residence pleasant without having the air conditioner going constantly.
Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—within your home. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide more insulation and enhanced energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without giving up comfort. That’s since they cool with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too hot at first glance, try conducting a test for a week or so. Get started by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually turn it down while adhering to the suggestions above. You could be astonished at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner on all day while your home is unoccupied. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity bills, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t productive and often leads to a more expensive electricity cost.
A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temp under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you go.
If you want a convenient solution, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and change temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be too uncomfortable for many families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 65–68 degrees. But that might be too cool, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We recommend running a comparable test over a week, setting your temp higher and gradually lowering it to select the ideal setting for your residence. On cool nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better solution than operating the AC.
More Ways to Conserve Energy This Summer
There are other approaches you can save money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.
- Get an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your house comfier while keeping cooling bills down.
- Schedule annual air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working properly and could help it work more efficiently. It might also help prolong its life span, since it allows pros to find seemingly insignificant troubles before they create a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and raise your utility.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of homes in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort troubles in your home, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by sealing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air within your home.
Save More Energy During Warm Weather with HCE Systems
If you need to conserve more energy during warm weather, our HCE Systems experts can help. Get in touch with us at 276-212-1358 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling options.