You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at the right temp during summer weather.
But what is the best temp, exactly? We review ideas from energy pros so you can find the best temperature for your family.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Fredericksburg.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your inside and outdoor temps, your utility costs will be bigger.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears hot, there are approaches you can keep your home refreshing without having the AC on constantly.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer extra insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they cool through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too hot initially, try doing an experiment for about a week. Begin by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively lower it while adhering to the advice above. You may be astonished at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning working all day while your house is vacant. Switching the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 5–15% on your air conditioning costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t effective and often produces a higher AC cost.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your temperature under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you want a handy resolution, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it automatically changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly 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 nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be too uncomfortable for the majority of families. Most 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 chilly, based on your PJ and blanket preference.
We recommend following a similar test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and slowly turning it down to determine the best temp for your house. On mild nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better option than using the air conditioner.
More Ways to Save Energy During Hot Weather
There are other approaches you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping electricity costs low.
- Book regular air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working properly and may help it run at better efficiency. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it allows professionals to uncover seemingly insignificant troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too often, and increase your cooling.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort problems in your home, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air within your home.
Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with Childress Heating & AC
If you need to use less energy this summer, our Childress Heating & AC professionals can help. Give us a call at 540-675-4306 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling products.