You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a pleasant temperature during the summer.
But what is the right temp, exactly? We discuss ideas from energy professionals so you can choose the best temperature for your family.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Pflugerville.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your inside and exterior temperatures, your electrical bills will be higher.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears warm, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioning running all the time.
Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps cold air where it should be—inside. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer extra insulation and enhanced energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s since they refresh through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too warm initially, try running a trial for a week or so. Get started by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually lower it while using the advice above. You might be surprised at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner running all day while your home is vacant. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your air conditioning costs, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t productive and often produces a bigger electrical bill.
A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your temp under control, 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 remedy, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for the majority of families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend trying an equivalent test over a week, setting your temperature higher and steadily turning it down to find the right setting for your house. On cool nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than operating the air conditioner.
More Ways to Save Energy During Hot Weather
There are additional approaches you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout the summer.
- Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping utility bills small.
- Set regular air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running properly and might help it operate at greater efficiency. It may also help prolong its life expectancy, since it enables techs to find small issues before they create a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and raise your electrical.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort issues in your house, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air within your home.
Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning
If you want to use less energy during warm weather, our Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning pros can help. Give us a call at 512-337-4337 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling options.
