You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant setting during summer weather.
But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We review suggestions from energy professionals so you can find the best setting for your residence.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Conroe.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and outdoor warmth, your utility 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 appears warm, there are ways you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioning going frequently.
Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps cool air where it should be—indoors. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to deliver extra insulation and enhanced 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 due to the fact they refresh with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too warm on the surface, try conducting a trial for a week or so. Get started by increasing your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while following the advice above. You could be astonished at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner going all day while your residence is empty. Moving 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 arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t effective and often results in a higher air conditioner cost.
A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your temperature in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to move the set temperature when you go.
If you want a convenient fix, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 65–68 degrees. But that could be too cool, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We advise running a comparable test over a week, putting your temp higher and slowly turning it down to find the right temp for your residence. On cool nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior solution than running the air conditioner.
More Approaches to Use Less Energy During Warm Weather
There are added ways you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout hot weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence cooler while keeping electrical expenses low.
- Set regular air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working like it should and might help it work at better efficiency. It might also help prolong its life expectancy, since it enables techs to find little issues before they cause a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and raise your cooling.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes 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”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort troubles in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air within your home.
Conserve More Energy This Summer with Air Houston Mechanical
If you need to save more energy during hot weather, our Air Houston Mechanical specialists can provide assistance. Give us a call at 832-780-3765 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling products.