You shouldn’t need to compromise on comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant temp during the summer.

But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We go over advice from energy specialists so you can choose the best temperature for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and outside temperatures, your AC expenses 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 warm, there are ways you can keep your house refreshing without having the air conditioner running constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window coverings, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer extra insulation and better energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they cool with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm at first glance, try running a trial for approximately a week. Get started by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while using the ideas above. You might be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC working all day while your house is unoccupied. Switching the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t useful and usually leads to a higher AC expense.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your temperature in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to move the set temperature when you go.

If you need a hassle-free remedy, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re away. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 65–68 degrees. But that may be too cool, based on your PJ and blanket preference.

We suggest running a similar test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and slowly decreasing it to select the ideal temperature for your residence. On cool nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior option than using the air conditioning.

More Methods to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather

There are other approaches you can save money on air conditioning bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping cooling bills low.
  2. Set regular air conditioner maintenance. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working properly and may help it run at better efficiency. It could also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it enables professionals to find seemingly insignificant problems before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and increase your cooling.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort troubles in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air within your home.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating

If you need to use less energy during warm weather, our Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating pros can provide assistance. Reach us at (818) 727-9993 or contact us online for more info about our energy-saving cooling products.