You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a refreshing setting during summer weather.
But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We go over recommendations from energy specialists so you can determine the best temp for your family.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Waunakee.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and outside warmth, your electricity expenses will be higher.
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 pleasant without having the AC going constantly.
Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—inside. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give extra insulation and improved energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s since they refresh by a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too hot at first glance, try conducting a test for a week or so. Get started by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, gradually turn it down while following the suggestions above. You may be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner on all day while your residence is unoccupied. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t productive and often leads to a bigger AC cost.
A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your settings controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you need a convenient remedy, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re away. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of using 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 recommends 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for the majority of families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 65–68 degrees. But that could be too chilly, due to your PJ and blanket preference.
We recommend trying a similar test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and steadily decreasing it to pick the right temp for your house. On pleasant nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than operating the air conditioner.
More Methods to Save Energy This Summer
There are other methods you can conserve money on cooling 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 age. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping cooling costs down.
- Schedule annual air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating properly and might help it run at greater efficiency. It can also help extend its life span, since it enables technicians to pinpoint small troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
- Change air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too much, and increase your electricity.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 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 lead to big comfort issues in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air within your home.
Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC
If you want to use less energy during hot weather, our Home Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning LLC pros can provide assistance. Reach us at 608-413-4505 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling options.
