You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at the right setting during hot days.
But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy professionals so you can determine the best setting for your residence.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Carpentersville.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your interior and outdoor temps, your cooling costs will be greater.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems too high, there are approaches you can keep your house refreshing without having the AC running frequently.
Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—indoors. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver extra insulation and better energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they refresh through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, turn them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too hot initially, try doing a trial for approximately a week. Start by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily lower it while adhering to the tips above. You might be amazed at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioning on all day while your house is empty. Switching the temperature 7¬¬–10 degrees higher can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electrical costs, 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 productive and typically leads to a higher AC expense.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your settings in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you leave.
If you need a hassle-free fix, consider getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re out. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, due to your PJ and blanket preference.
We advise using a comparable test over a week, setting your temperature higher and steadily turning it down to locate the ideal temperature for your house. On mild nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than operating the air conditioning.
More Methods to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather
There are extra approaches you can spend less money on energy bills throughout warm weather.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping electricity
bills small. - Book regular air conditioning tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working smoothly and could help it run at better efficiency. It might also help extend its life cycle, since it enables professionals to find seemingly insignificant issues before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too often, and increase your cooling
bills. - Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort troubles in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air inside.
Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Controlled Comfort HVAC Inc
If you want to save more energy this summer, our Controlled Comfort HVAC Inc pros can help. Reach us at 224-412-8308 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling products.