You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a pleasant temperature during warm days.
But what is the best setting, exactly? We go over suggestions from energy experts so you can choose the best temperature for your residence.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Big Spring.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and outside temps, your AC expenses will be larger.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds too high, there are ways you can keep your home cool without having the AC on all the time.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cold air where it should be—indoors. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to offer more insulation and enhanced energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s since they freshen with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable on the surface, try doing a test for approximately a week. Begin by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually decrease it while following the advice above. You may be surprised at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning running all day while your house is empty. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling bills, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t productive and typically produces a higher AC cost.
A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your settings controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you need a convenient fix, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage 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 advises 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for many families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, due to your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend using a comparable test over a week, putting your temp higher and progressively decreasing it to choose the right temp for your house. On pleasant nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior idea than running the AC.
More Approaches to Save Energy During Hot Weather
There are other ways you can save money on cooling bills throughout the summer.
- Get an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping energy expenses small.
- Set annual air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running smoothly and may help it run more efficiently. It might also help prolong its life cycle, since it helps professionals to spot little problems before they cause a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too frequently, and drive up your electricity.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the United States 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 inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort problems in your house, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air indoors.
Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with SKC AC LLC
If you want to conserve more energy this summer, our SKC AC LLC experts can help. Reach us at 432-203-4881 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling options.