You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at a refreshing setting during muggy weather.
But what is the right setting, exactly? We review ideas from energy experts so you can determine the best temp for your residence.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Heflin.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your inside and exterior warmth, your electricity expenses 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 appears hot, there are approaches you can keep your house cool without having the air conditioner on constantly.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window coverings, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide extra insulation and improved energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s because they refresh with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too hot on the surface, try running an experiment for approximately a week. Get started by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily lower it while adhering to the advice above. You could be shocked at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner working all day while your residence is unoccupied. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees higher can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t useful and often results in a higher air conditioner cost.
A programmable thermostat is a useful way to keep your temp controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to raise the set temperature when you take off.
If you’re looking for a convenient solution, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re out. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that might be unbearable for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that could be too chilly, based on your PJ and blanket preference.
We advise running an equivalent test over a week, putting your temp higher and gradually lowering it to determine the right temp for your house. On cool nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable option than operating the air conditioner.
More Ways to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather
There are added approaches you can save money on energy bills throughout the summer.
- Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping electricity costs small.
- Set annual air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running properly and might help it operate more efficiently. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it enables professionals to uncover seemingly insignificant issues before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too often, and drive up your cooling.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort issues in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it belongs by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air indoors.
Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with Bain Heating & Air Conditioning
If you want to save more energy during hot weather, our Bain Heating & Air Conditioning experts can assist you. Reach us at 256-270-1196 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.
