You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a refreshing setting during muggy weather.

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

Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Elk River.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and outside temps, your electricity bills will be larger.

This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears too high, there are methods you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioner running constantly.

Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—inside. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver added insulation and better energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they refresh with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too hot initially, try conducting a test for approximately a week. Begin by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while using the suggestions above. You could be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner on all day while your home is empty. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees higher can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electricity costs, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t productive and often leads to a higher electricity expense.

A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your settings under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you run the risk of forgetting to raise the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a handy fix, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? About $180 each year 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 just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that could be too chilly, based on your pajama and blanket preference.

We suggest using a comparable test over a week, setting your temperature higher and steadily decreasing it to choose the ideal setting for your family. On mild nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better option than operating the air conditioner.

More Ways to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather

There are added approaches you can spend less money on energy bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping energy bills small.
  2. Book annual air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running like it should and could help it work more efficiently. It could also help lengthen its life span, since it enables professionals to discover seemingly insignificant issues before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and increase your cooling.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort troubles in your home, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air indoors.

Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Home Comfort Heating & Air

If you want to conserve more energy this summer, our Home Comfort Heating & Air professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 763-276-0617 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling products.