You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at the right temperature during warm days.

But what is the best temp, exactly? We go over ideas from energy specialists so you can choose the best setting for your residence.

Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Savage.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your indoor and outdoor 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 methods you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioner on constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—within your home. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give extra insulation and better energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm at first glance, try conducting a trial for about a week. Begin by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily decrease it while following the tips above. You could be astonished at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC on all day while your home is vacant. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your AC expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t productive and often produces a more expensive cooling bill.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temperature under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to raise the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a hassle-free remedy, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $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 may be unbearable for most families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cold, due to your pajama and blanket preference.

We recommend following a similar test over a week, moving your temperature higher and slowly lowering it to pinpoint the ideal temperature for your residence. On cool nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior idea than running the air conditioner.

More Methods to Save Energy This Summer

There are added approaches you can save money on cooling bills throughout the summer.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping cooling bills small.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running like it should and may help it work at better efficiency. It might also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it helps techs to spot seemingly insignificant troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters frequently. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too much, and increase your electricity.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort issues in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. 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 cold air inside.

Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning

If you need to conserve more energy this summer, our Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning specialists can provide assistance. Give us a call at 952-373-0377 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.