You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at a refreshing temperature during summer weather.

But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We go over advice from energy professionals so you can choose the best setting for your residence.

Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Muskogee.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your indoor and exterior temperatures, your cooling costs 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 too high, there are ways you can keep your house cool without having the air conditioning running all the time.

Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cool air where it should be—indoors. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer added insulation and improved energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s since they freshen with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable initially, try conducting a test for approximately a week. Start by increasing your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while using the ideas above. You could be astonished at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner going all day while your home is vacant. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your AC costs, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t useful and often leads to a bigger electrical cost.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your settings in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to move the set temperature when you leave.

If you want a convenient resolution, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re away. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, based on your PJ and blanket preference.

We advise following an equivalent test over a week, setting your temp higher and slowly lowering it to pick the ideal setting for your family. On cool nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior idea than using the AC.

More Methods to Save Energy This Summer

There are additional approaches you can save money on air conditioning bills throughout the summer.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping cooling expenses down.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working properly and may help it operate more efficiently. It could also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it allows professionals to find small issues before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters often. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too much, and increase your electricity.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the United States 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”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort troubles in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air inside.

Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc.

If you want to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. professionals can provide assistance. Give us a call at 918-682-8238 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling products.