You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant temperature during muggy weather.
But what is the right temp, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy experts so you can find the best temperature 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 people find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and outdoor warmth, your AC expenses will be larger.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds too high, there are approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the AC running constantly.
Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps chilled air where it should be—indoors. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver added insulation and improved energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too hot at first glance, try running a trial for approximately a week. Begin by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily lower it while using the tips above. You might be surprised at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning working all day while your residence is unoccupied. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your electricity costs, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t useful and usually leads to a bigger AC cost.
A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your temp in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you take off.
If you want a convenient 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 out. Then it instinctively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that could be too chilly, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We recommend running a comparable test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and slowly lowering it to pick the ideal setting for your house. On mild nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better idea than operating the AC.
More Methods to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are extra ways you can spend less money on air conditioning bills throughout warm weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping energy bills small.
- Book regular air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating like it should and might help it operate at better efficiency. It might also help prolong its life cycle, since it allows professionals to find small troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
- Change air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too much, and increase your cooling.
- Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences 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 require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort problems in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air inside.
Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating
If you are looking to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating pros can provide assistance. Reach us at (818) 727-9993 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling products.
