You shouldn’t have to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at the right setting during muggy weather.
But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We review advice from energy pros so you can find the best setting for your home.
Here’s what we suggest 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 sizeable difference between your indoor and exterior temps, your electricity expenses will be bigger.
These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears too high, there are methods you can keep your home pleasant without having the AC on all the time.
Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cold air where it should be—inside. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide added insulation and improved energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, shut them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable at first glance, try conducting an experiment for about a week. Get started by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily decrease it while adhering to the advice above. You could be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning on all day while your residence is empty. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your AC costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t productive and often results in a bigger cooling expense.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temperature controlled, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you leave.
If you want a convenient resolution, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, due to your PJ and blanket preference.
We suggest running a similar test over a week, setting your temp higher and slowly decreasing it to pinpoint the ideal temp for your house. On pleasant nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior idea than operating the air conditioning.
More Approaches to Use Less Energy This Summer
There are added ways you can save money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling 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 house more comfortable while keeping electricity expenses small.
- Set annual air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running properly and could help it work at better efficiency. It might also help prolong its life cycle, since it enables professionals to pinpoint little problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Change air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too frequently, and raise your cooling.
- Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the U.S. 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 checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to major comfort issues in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air indoors.
Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with JTech Mechanical
If you are looking to use less energy during hot weather, our JTech Mechanical specialists can help. Get in touch with us at 281-231-8768 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling products.