You shouldn’t have to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at a pleasant temperature during hot days.

But what is the right temperature, exactly? We discuss advice from energy experts so you can determine the best temp for your loved ones.

Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Fredericksburg.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and outdoor warmth, your cooling expenses will be larger.

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 methods you can keep your house refreshing without having the air conditioning on all the time.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cool air where it should be—indoors. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide more insulation and enhanced energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable at first glance, try conducting a trial for a week or so. Start by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, gradually decrease it while adhering to the ideas above. You might be surprised at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner running all day while your house is empty. Switching the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your electricity bills, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t effective and typically produces a more expensive AC bill.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temp under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you run the risk of forgetting to increase the set temperature when you go.

If you want a handy solution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for most families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cool, based on your pajama and blanket preference.

We suggest following an equivalent test over a week, moving your temperature higher and progressively turning it down to pick the right setting for your residence. On pleasant nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior idea than running the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are other approaches you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your house comfier while keeping AC expenses small.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working smoothly and may help it operate at better efficiency. It can also help prolong its life cycle, since it allows techs to discover small troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too often, and drive up your cooling.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort issues in your home, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air within your home.

Conserve More Energy This Summer with Childress Heating & AC

If you need to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Childress Heating & AC pros can assist you. Give us a call at 540-675-4306 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling products.