You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a refreshing temperature during muggy weather.
But what is the right temperature, exactly? We go over ideas from energy pros so you can select the best temperature for your home.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Muskogee.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and outside temperatures, your cooling 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 sounds hot, there are approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioning on all the time.
Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—inside. Some window coverings, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide added insulation and enhanced energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they cool through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too hot at first glance, try running an experiment for about a week. Start by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while following the tips above. You might be shocked at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner on all day while your residence is empty. Turning the temperature 7¬¬–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your AC bills, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t useful and typically results in a higher electrical cost.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your settings in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to move the set temperature when you go.
If you’re looking for a convenient fix, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it instinctively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for many families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, due to your PJ and blanket preference.
We advise using an equivalent test over a week, moving your temp higher and progressively decreasing it to select the best temperature for your house. On cool nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better solution than using the air conditioning.
More Approaches to Conserve Energy This Summer
There are additional ways you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping energy
bills down. - Book regular AC tune-ups. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working properly and might help it run at greater efficiency. It might also help extend its life span, since it enables professionals to uncover seemingly insignificant problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Change air filters frequently. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too much, and drive up your energy
expenses. - Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate 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 inspected. Ductwork that has separated over the years can seep cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to huge comfort issues in your home, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air inside.
Conserve More Energy This Summer with Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc.
If you want to save more energy during hot weather, our Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. specialists can help. Get in touch with us at 918-682-8238 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.