You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a refreshing setting during hot days.
But what is the best temperature, exactly? We review recommendations from energy specialists so you can select the best setting for your loved ones.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in McPherson.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and outside warmth, your utility costs will be bigger.
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 residence refreshing without having the air conditioner going all the time.
Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—indoors. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to offer more insulation and improved energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s because they refresh through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too hot initially, try running an experiment for approximately a week. Begin by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, progressively lower it while using the suggestions above. You might be shocked 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 home is empty. Switching the temperature 7–10 degrees higher can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t effective and typically leads to a more expensive cooling cost.
A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temperature under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you run the risk of forgetting to change the set temperature when you go.
If you’re looking for a convenient fix, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 65–68 degrees. But that may be too cold, due to your clothing and blanket preference.
We suggest using an equivalent test over a week, putting your temp higher and gradually decreasing it to find the ideal setting for your house. On pleasant nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable option than running the air conditioning.
More Ways to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather
There are added methods you can conserve money on energy bills throughout the summer.
- Install an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping energy bills low.
- Schedule yearly air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it work at greater efficiency. It might also help prolong its life expectancy, since it enables technicians to uncover small troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too much, and increase your electricity.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort issues in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep humid air in its place by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air indoors.
Use Less Energy This Summer with McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing
If you want to save more energy during hot weather, our McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing pros can help. Reach us at 620-245-0599 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling options.
