You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a pleasant setting during summer weather.
But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We review suggestions from energy pros 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 Carpentersville.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your inside and exterior temps, your utility bills will be higher.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems warm, there are approaches you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioning on constantly.
Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—indoors. Some window coverings, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide added insulation and better energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too hot initially, try conducting an experiment for about a week. Start by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually decrease it while following the advice above. You may be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC working all day while your home is vacant. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your AC costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t useful and often produces a more expensive electrical expense.
A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your settings in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to move the set temperature when you leave.
If you want a handy resolution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it instinctively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be too uncomfortable for many families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 65–68 degrees. But that may be too chilly, based on your clothing and blanket preference.
We recommend using an equivalent test over a week, setting your temperature higher and slowly lowering it to pick the best temp for your family. On mild nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than operating the air conditioner.
More Approaches to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather
There are other approaches you can conserve money on utility bills throughout the summer.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping electricity bills low.
- Book yearly air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running properly and could help it operate more efficiently. It may also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it enables pros to uncover seemingly insignificant problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Change air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and drive up your cooling.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort problems in your home, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by plugging cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air inside.
Conserve More Energy This Summer with Controlled Comfort HVAC
If you need to save more energy this summer, our Controlled Comfort HVAC pros can help. Give us a call at 224-335-9783 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling options.
