You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant temp during hot days.
But what is the best temp, exactly? We go over suggestions from energy specialists so you can choose the best setting for your house.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Magnolia.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your indoor and outside temperatures, your electricity expenses will be bigger.
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 refreshing without having the air conditioner going constantly.
Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—within your home. Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer extra insulation and improved energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable initially, try running a test for about a week. Start by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively decrease it while using the suggestions above. You could be amazed at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioning working all day while your residence is unoccupied. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your air conditioning expenses, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t useful and typically produces a higher air conditioner expense.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temperature under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you take off.
If you need a handy resolution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? About $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be too uncomfortable for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, based on your clothing and blanket preference.
We advise following a comparable test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and progressively lowering it to pinpoint the best temp for your house. On cool nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than operating the air conditioning.
More Approaches to Save Energy During Hot Weather
There are extra approaches you can spend less money on AC bills throughout hot weather.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping cooling expenses down.
- Set yearly air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it work more efficiently. It may also help lengthen its life cycle, since it allows pros to spot seemingly insignificant problems before they cause a major meltdown.
- Change air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too frequently, and raise your electrical.
- Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. 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.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by sealing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cool air within your home.
Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with JTech Mechanical
If you want to save more energy this summer, our JTech Mechanical experts can help. Get in touch with us at 281-410-8002 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling products.