You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant setting during the summer.
But what is the best temp, exactly? We review suggestions from energy pros so you can select the best setting for your house.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Lawrence.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a major difference between your interior and outside temps, your electrical bills 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 hot, there are approaches you can keep your house pleasant without having the air conditioning running all the time.
Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps chilled air where it should be—indoors. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to offer extra insulation and better energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without compromising comfort. That’s since they freshen with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too warm initially, try conducting a trial for about a week. Begin by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively lower it while adhering to the suggestions above. You could be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner working all day while your home is unoccupied. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling bills, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t useful and often produces a bigger cooling cost.
A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temperature in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to increase the set temperature when you go.
If you want a handy fix, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage of using 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 may be unbearable for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 65–68 degrees. But that may be too cool, based on your PJ and blanket preference.
We advise running a similar test over a week, moving your temperature higher and gradually lowering it to locate the right temperature for your residence. On pleasant nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better idea than operating the AC.
More Methods to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather
There are added methods you can spend less money on air conditioning bills throughout hot weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping electricity bills small.
- Set yearly air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating properly and could help it run at better efficiency. It could also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it enables professionals to discover seemingly insignificant troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and raise your electricity.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort issues in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air indoors.
Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Scott Temperature
If you are looking to save more energy during warm weather, our Scott Temperature pros can help. Give us a call at 785-503-3712 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.