You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a pleasant temp during warm days.
But what is the best setting, exactly? We go over advice from energy specialists so you can choose the best temperature for your home.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Bloomfield.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your interior and outdoor temps, your electrical bills will be greater.
These are our recommendations 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 AC on constantly.
Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window coverings, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide more insulation and better energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees warmer without giving up comfort. That’s since they refresh through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable at first glance, try running a trial for about a week. Start by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily lower it while adhering to the suggestions above. You may be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner going all day while your residence is vacant. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your AC expenses, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t effective and usually produces a higher AC cost.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your temperature controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to raise the set temperature when you go.
If you need a handy solution, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that could be too uncomfortable for most families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 65–68 degrees. But that might be too chilly, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend trying a comparable test over a week, putting your temperature higher and steadily decreasing it to locate the ideal setting for your residence. On pleasant nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better idea than running the air conditioning.
More Ways to Use Less Energy During Warm Weather
There are additional approaches you can conserve money on air conditioning bills throughout warm weather.
- Get an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping AC costs down.
- Set yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working like it should and might help it operate at greater efficiency. It can also help extend its life span, since it helps techs to pinpoint seemingly insignificant troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too much, and drive up your energy.
- Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort issues in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air within your home.
Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Stanford Heating & Cooling
If you are looking to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Stanford Heating & Cooling experts can assist you. Give us a call at 812-825-8695 or contact us online for more info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.
