You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant temperature during warm days.

But what is the best temp, exactly? We go over advice from energy professionals so you can find the best setting for your house.

Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Lawrence.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your inside and outside temperatures, your electricity costs will be bigger.

This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears too high, there are approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioner running all the time.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cold air where it should be—inside. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to offer extra insulation and enhanced energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s since they refresh through a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm on the surface, try doing a trial for approximately a week. Begin by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually decrease it while using the advice above. You may be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC going all day while your house is vacant. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t useful and typically produces a higher electrical bill.

A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temperature controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to raise the set temperature when you go.

If you’re looking for a convenient remedy, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that might be too uncomfortable for many families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, due to your PJ and blanket preference.

We suggest using an equivalent test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and slowly decreasing it to select the best setting for your family. On mild nights, you might discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better idea than operating the air conditioning.

More Ways to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are added approaches you can conserve money on energy bills throughout the summer.

  1. Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your house more comfortable while keeping utility costs down.
  2. Book regular air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working properly and may help it work more efficiently. It could also help prolong its life cycle, since it enables technicians to find little issues before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too frequently, and increase your energy.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort issues in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air inside.

Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with Scott Temperature

If you are looking to save more energy during warm weather, our Scott Temperature pros can assist you. Give us a call at 785-269-0465 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.