You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant setting during muggy weather.
But what is the right temperature, exactly? We go over recommendations from energy pros so you can select the best setting for your house.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Lexington.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your interior 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 sounds hot, there are ways you can keep your house refreshing without having the air conditioning on frequently.
Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—inside. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to give more insulation and enhanced energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they refresh with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too warm on the surface, try conducting a trial for about a week. Begin by increasing your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually lower it while following the ideas above. You may be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner going all day while your home is vacant. Switching the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your air conditioning expenses, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t effective and typically leads to a more expensive AC expense.
A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your temp controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you go.
If you need a hassle-free resolution, consider getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? About $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus 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 suggests 82 degrees, that could be too uncomfortable for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 65–68 degrees. But that may be too chilly, due to your clothing and blanket preference.
We suggest following a similar test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and steadily lowering it to choose the ideal setting for your family. On cool nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than operating the air conditioning.
More Ways to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather
There are added ways you can save money on cooling bills throughout hot weather.
- Get an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. A new air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping electricity expenses small.
- Book yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running like it should and could help it work at better efficiency. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it enables pros to pinpoint seemingly insignificant problems before they cause a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too often, and drive up your electrical.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 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 huge comfort problems in your house, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it should be by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air inside.
Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with James Heating & A/C, Inc
If you want to use less energy during warm weather, our James Heating & A/C, Inc pros can assist you. Get in touch with us at 336-853-6070 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling options.
