You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at the right setting during summer weather.
But what is the best temperature, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy professionals so you can choose the best temp for your loved ones.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Weatherford.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a huge difference between your interior and outside temperatures, your electrical bills will be bigger.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds hot, there are ways you can keep your house cool without having the AC going constantly.
Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give extra insulation and better energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s since they freshen through a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too warm initially, try running an experiment for a week or so. Get started by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually decrease it while following the ideas above. You could be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning on all day while your home is vacant. Switching the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t useful and often leads to a bigger AC bill.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temperature in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to raise the set temperature when you go.
If you need a hassle-free resolution, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that might be too uncomfortable for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 65–68 degrees. But that could be too cool, due to your clothing and blanket preference.
We advise using a comparable test over a week, setting your temp higher and steadily decreasing it to pick the ideal temperature for your residence. On pleasant nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better solution than running the air conditioning.
More Ways to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are other ways you can save money on energy 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 become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping electricity expenses down.
- Schedule annual air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating like it should and might help it work more efficiently. It could also help lengthen its life span, since it helps professionals to spot small problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too frequently, and raise your utility.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have proper 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 checked. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to huge comfort troubles in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by sealing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air indoors.
Conserve More Energy This Summer with Parker County Cooling & Heating
If you are looking to save more energy this summer, our Parker County Cooling & Heating professionals can help. Give us a call at 817-587-4899 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling products.