You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at the right temp during muggy weather.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We discuss advice from energy pros so you can choose the best setting for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and outdoor temps, your AC bills will be higher.

These are our recommendations 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 pleasant without having the AC going all the time.

Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—within your home. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to give extra insulation and enhanced energy savings.

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 by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable at first glance, try conducting a test for about a week. Begin by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, gradually decrease it while adhering to the tips above. You might be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning working all day while your residence is empty. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling bills, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t productive and typically results in a more expensive air conditioner bill.

A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temperature in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you go.

If you need a convenient remedy, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of using 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 might be too uncomfortable for the majority of families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, due to your clothing and blanket preference.

We suggest running a similar test over a week, moving your temp higher and gradually decreasing it to find the best temp for your family. On cool nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than operating the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Hot Weather

There are added ways you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping cooling costs low.
  2. Schedule regular air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating like it should and could help it operate more efficiently. It might also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it enables pros to uncover little problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too frequently, and drive up your energy.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the United States don’t have adequate 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 checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort troubles in your home, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air inside.

Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Edington Heating & Cooling Inc

If you want to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Edington Heating & Cooling Inc pros can help. Get in touch with us at 937-558-9478 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling products.