You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant setting during summer weather.
But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We go over recommendations from energy professionals so you can choose the best temperature for your house.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Muskogee.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outside temps, your utility costs will be bigger.
These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears hot, there are methods you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioning on constantly.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—indoors. Some window coverings, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give extra insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they freshen with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, turn them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too warm at first glance, try running an experiment for a week or so. Get started by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, progressively decrease it while using the suggestions above. You could be shocked at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC going all day while your residence is empty. Switching the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your air conditioning costs, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t productive and usually produces a more expensive cooling expense.
A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your temperature in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you go.
If you need a convenient solution, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cold, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We suggest using a similar test over a week, putting your temp higher and steadily turning it down to pick the ideal temperature for your house. On pleasant nights, you might discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than operating the AC.
More Approaches to Use Less Energy This Summer
There are added approaches you can spend less money on air conditioning bills throughout hot weather.
- Install an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping energy costs low.
- Set regular air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working properly and could help it operate more efficiently. It could also help extend its life span, since it helps professionals to uncover little problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too often, and drive up your electrical.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort issues in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air inside.
Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc.
If you want to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. experts can help. Give us a call at 918-682-8238 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling options.