You shouldn’t need to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a pleasant temp during muggy weather.
But what is the best temp, exactly? We discuss advice from energy pros so you can find the best temp for your house.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Tucker.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and outside temperatures, your electrical bills will be greater.
These are our recommendations 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 residence refreshing without having the air conditioner running frequently.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—indoors. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver added insulation and improved energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s since they freshen through a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable at first glance, try conducting a trial for about a week. Get started by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily lower it while using the ideas above. You might be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning on all day while your residence is empty. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your air conditioning expenses, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t productive and often results in a more expensive air conditioner expense.
A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temp controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you go.
If you need a convenient resolution, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re out. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that may be unbearable for many families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cool, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We advise running a comparable test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and slowly turning it down to pick the right temperature for your house. On pleasant nights, you might discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than using the air conditioner.
More Approaches to Use Less Energy This Summer
There are additional approaches you can spend less money on energy bills throughout the summer.
- Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your house more comfortable while keeping electricity bills small.
- Set yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating like it should and may help it work at greater efficiency. It may also help prolong its life expectancy, since it enables techs to find small problems before they cause a major meltdown.
- Change air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too frequently, and increase your utility.
- Measure 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”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over time can seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to major comfort troubles in your house, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air indoors.
Conserve More Energy This Summer with ACS Heating and Air Conditioning
If you need to save more energy during hot weather, our ACS Heating and Air Conditioning professionals can provide assistance. Get in touch with us at 770-450-1539 or contact us online for more info about our energy-saving cooling products.
