You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at a pleasant temp during muggy weather.

But what is the right setting, exactly? We go over ideas from energy pros so you can choose the best setting for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your interior and exterior temperatures, your AC 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 warm, there are methods you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioning going all the time.

Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps chilled air where it should be—indoors. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to deliver more insulation and improved energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they cool through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable at first glance, try running an experiment for a week or so. Start by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily decrease it while using the ideas above. You may be amazed at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner on all day while your home is unoccupied. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t effective and typically results in a more expensive cooling cost.

A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your temperature controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a handy remedy, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that could be too chilly, due to your PJ and blanket preference.

We recommend trying an equivalent test over a week, setting your temp higher and gradually turning it down to pick the right setting for your house. On cool nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better solution than running the AC.

More Methods to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are additional methods you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout the summer.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping electricity costs low.
  2. Set annual air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working like it should and might help it operate at greater efficiency. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it helps professionals to pinpoint little problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and increase your energy.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort issues in your house, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air indoors.

Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with County Line Mechanical LLC

If you are looking to conserve more energy this summer, our County Line Mechanical LLC pros can help. Get in touch with us at 717-583-8648 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling options.