You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a refreshing setting during warm days.
But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We review advice from energy pros so you can determine the best temperature for your house.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Pflugerville.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and exterior warmth, your AC 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 appears warm, there are ways you can keep your residence refreshing without having the AC on frequently.
Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cool air where it should be—within your home. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to deliver added insulation and enhanced energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s because they refresh by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, turn them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too warm at first glance, try conducting an experiment for about a week. Start by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually decrease it while adhering to the advice above. You could be astonished at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning going all day while your home is empty. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t effective and usually results in a higher air conditioner expense.
A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your settings controlled, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you go.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free solution, consider getting 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 modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for most families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cool, based on your PJ and blanket preference.
We suggest following a comparable test over a week, setting your temp higher and steadily lowering it to select the best setting for your house. On cool nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior idea than running the AC.
More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are added approaches you can conserve money on utility bills throughout hot weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping electricity costs down.
- Book regular air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working properly and may help it operate at greater efficiency. It might also help prolong its life cycle, since it allows technicians to pinpoint seemingly insignificant problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too much, and drive up your energy.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your house, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air in its place by plugging cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air indoors.
Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning
If you are looking to conserve more energy this summer, our Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning experts can help. Reach us at 512-355-1482 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling products.
