You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a refreshing setting during muggy weather.
But what is the right temp, exactly? We discuss advice from energy specialists so you can determine the best temperature for your family.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Payson.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and outdoor temperatures, your utility costs will be greater.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds too high, there are approaches you can keep your house pleasant without having the AC running frequently.
Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cold air where it should be—inside. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give more insulation and better energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without giving up comfort. That’s since they refresh by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable at first glance, try running an experiment for approximately a week. Get started by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually decrease it while using the suggestions above. You might be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC running all day while your home is unoccupied. Turning the setting 7¬¬–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your AC costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t effective and typically results in a bigger cooling bills.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temperature controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to move the set temperature when you take off.
If you want a handy resolution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be unbearable for many families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, based on your pajama and blanket preference.
We advise running an equivalent test over a week, setting your temperature higher and progressively lowering it to pinpoint the best setting for your family. On mild nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior option than operating the AC.
More Methods to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather
There are extra ways you can conserve money on air conditioning bills throughout warm weather.
- Get an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence cooler while keeping cooling
costs small. - Book annual AC tune-ups. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running like it should and may help it work at greater efficiency. It could also help prolong its life cycle, since it enables pros to pinpoint seemingly insignificant problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters often. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too much, and increase your electricity
expenses. - Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses 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”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your home, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air indoors.
Save More Energy This Summer with North Mechanical Heating and Cooling
If you need to use less energy during warm weather, our North Mechanical Heating and Cooling experts can assist you. Give us a call at 928-263-8570 or contact us online for more information about our energy-efficient cooling solutions.