You shouldn’t need to compromise on comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at the right temp during the summer.
But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We discuss advice from energy experts so you can find the best temperature for your residence.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Auburn.
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 indoor and outside warmth, your electrical costs will be larger.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds hot, there are approaches you can keep your residence pleasant without having the AC running frequently.
Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—within your home. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to deliver more insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they freshen through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable initially, try doing an experiment for about a week. Start by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily decrease it while using the tips above. You might be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner working all day while your home is unoccupied. Switching the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t useful and usually produces a bigger electricity cost.
A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your temperature under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you leave.
If you want a convenient solution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 65–68 degrees. But that could be too cool, due to your PJ and blanket preference.
We advise following an equivalent test over a week, putting your temperature higher and slowly lowering it to choose the best temp for your house. On mild nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than running the air conditioner.
More Approaches to Conserve Energy This Summer
There are other ways you can save money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping utility bills low.
- Book annual air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running properly and could help it operate more efficiently. It may also help extend its life cycle, since it enables technicians to uncover seemingly insignificant problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too much, and drive up your cooling.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many 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 conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort problems in your home, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air inside.
Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with Forster Heating
If you want to save more energy during hot weather, our Forster Heating pros can assist you. Give us a call at 530-903-5878 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.
