You shouldn’t have to compromise on comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant setting during the summer.

But what is the best temperature, exactly? We go over ideas from energy experts so you can select the best setting for your home.

Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Central Point.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outside temps, your electrical expenses will be bigger.

This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems too high, there are ways you can keep your home cool without having the air conditioner running all the time.

Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver added insulation and enhanced energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too warm at first glance, try doing an experiment for about a week. Get started by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while following the suggestions above. You may be surprised at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner running all day while your house is empty. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electricity costs, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t effective and usually leads to a bigger air conditioner expense.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temperature under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you take off.

If you want a handy remedy, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re out. Then it intuitively modifies 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 regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for most families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, due to your pajama and blanket preference.

We recommend following a similar test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and steadily turning it down to pinpoint the right setting for your house. On cool nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable option than using the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are extra ways you can spend less money on air conditioning bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your residence cooler while keeping cooling expenses small.
  2. Set annual air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working smoothly and could help it run at greater efficiency. It might also help extend its life expectancy, since it allows techs to find little problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too frequently, and drive up your electricity.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort issues in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by sealing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air within your home.

Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Titan Heating & Air Conditioning

If you are looking to save more energy this summer, our Titan Heating & Air Conditioning specialists can provide assistance. Give us a call at 541-286-6617 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling options.