You shouldn’t have to compromise on comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a refreshing setting during the summer.
But what is the right temperature, exactly? We review ideas from energy pros so you can select the best setting 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 setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and outdoor warmth, your utility expenses will be higher.
These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds hot, there are methods you can keep your home cool without having the air conditioning on all the time.
Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide extra insulation and better energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s because they freshen through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable at first glance, try doing an experiment for about a week. Start by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, progressively decrease it while using the advice above. You may be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC working all day while your residence is empty. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t effective and usually results in a higher air conditioner cost.
A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your settings controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you take off.
If you want a handy solution, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for most families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 65–68 degrees. But that might be too chilly, based on your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend using a similar test over a week, setting your temp higher and progressively turning it down to select the ideal temperature for your residence. On cool nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior option than running the AC.
More Methods to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are extra methods you can conserve money on utility bills throughout the summer.
- Install an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence cooler while keeping cooling bills low.
- Schedule annual air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running properly and could help it work more efficiently. It might also help prolong its life expectancy, since it enables technicians to pinpoint seemingly insignificant troubles before they create a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too often, and drive up your utility.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort problems in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by plugging cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air within your home.
Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with Home Comfort Heating & Air
If you need to save more energy during warm weather, our Home Comfort Heating & Air professionals can help. Give us a call at 763-276-0617 or contact us online for more info about our energy-saving cooling products.
