You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at the right setting during warm days.
But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We review suggestions from energy specialists so you can choose the best temp for your residence.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Northridge.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your inside and exterior warmth, your electricity bills will be greater.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems warm, there are ways you can keep your home cool without having the air conditioner on all the time.
Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to offer more insulation and enhanced energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s because they refresh by a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable at first glance, try conducting a test for approximately a week. Get started by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively lower it while adhering to the advice above. You may be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning on all day while your house is empty. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your air conditioning costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t productive and often results in a more expensive AC cost.
A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your temperature under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to move the set temperature when you go.
If you need a hassle-free solution, consider buying 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? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We advise using an equivalent test over a week, putting your temp higher and progressively decreasing it to select the best setting for your house. On mild nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior idea than running the air conditioning.
More Methods to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are additional ways you can save money on AC bills throughout hot weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping AC costs small.
- Schedule annual air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running smoothly and might help it work more efficiently. It may also help prolong its life cycle, since it allows techs to pinpoint seemingly insignificant problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too much, and increase your energy.
- Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort issues in your home, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air indoors.
Save More Energy This Summer with Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating
If you are looking to save more energy during hot weather, our Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating professionals can assist you. Get in touch with us at (818) 727-9993 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling products.
