You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at the right setting during the summer.
But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We review ideas from energy professionals so you can select the best temperature for your loved ones.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Belton.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and outside temps, your cooling expenses will be bigger.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems hot, there are ways you can keep your home cool without having the air conditioner running all the time.
Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to deliver added insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s because they refresh through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too hot on the surface, try conducting a trial for a week or so. Get started by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively turn it down while using the suggestions above. You might be surprised at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioning going all day while your residence is unoccupied. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t useful and often leads to a higher air conditioner cost.
A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your temperature in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to increase the set temperature when you go.
If you want a handy fix, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We suggest using a comparable test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and steadily turning it down to choose the best setting for your family. On mild nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better option than using the air conditioner.
More Ways to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are other approaches you can spend less money on air conditioning bills throughout hot weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping utility bills down.
- Book annual air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running properly and could help it run at greater efficiency. It may also help extend its life expectancy, since it helps pros to uncover little troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too often, and increase your electrical.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can seep cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort issues in your home, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by plugging cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air indoors.
Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Myers Furnace Company
If you need to conserve more energy this summer, our Myers Furnace Company specialists can help. Get in touch with us at 816-370-5244 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling products.