You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at a pleasant temp during summer weather.
But what is the best setting, exactly? We review ideas from energy professionals so you can select the best temperature for your residence.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Marshalltown.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your interior and outdoor temperatures, your electricity bills will be larger.
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 methods you can keep your home cool without having the air conditioner going all the time.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—inside. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to deliver more insulation and enhanced energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without compromising comfort. That’s since they cool by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable at first glance, try running a test for about a week. Start by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily decrease it while following the ideas above. You might be astonished at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner working all day while your home is empty. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your cooling costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t useful and often leads to a higher air conditioner expense.
A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temp controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to increase the set temperature when you leave.
If you need a hassle-free remedy, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? About $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that may be unbearable for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cool, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We recommend trying a similar test over a week, moving your temperature higher and slowly decreasing it to pick the best temp for your house. On pleasant nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable option than using the air conditioner.
More Methods to Use Less Energy This Summer
There are additional approaches you can spend less money on air conditioning bills throughout the summer.
- Get an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping AC costs small.
- Set yearly air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working smoothly and could help it operate at better efficiency. It can also help extend its life span, since it enables techs to uncover seemingly insignificant problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too often, and raise your electricity.
- Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort troubles in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air inside.
Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Kapaun & Brown
If you need to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Kapaun & Brown professionals can help. Reach us at 641-812-2028 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling products.