You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant temp during muggy weather.
But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We review suggestions from energy pros so you can determine the best temperature for your home.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Central Point.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and outdoor temps, your cooling bills will be higher.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems hot, there are ways you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioner going all the time.
Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide extra insulation and better energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s since they cool by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too hot on the surface, try doing a test for a week or so. Begin by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily decrease it while adhering to the ideas above. You could be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning working all day while your residence is unoccupied. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling bills, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t productive and often results in a higher cooling expense.
A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your temperature controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to change the set temperature when you go.
If you want a hassle-free solution, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of using 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 recommends 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for most families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We advise following a similar test over a week, putting your temp higher and steadily decreasing it to locate the best temperature for your house. On cool nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than using the air conditioner.
More Approaches to Save Energy This Summer
There are additional methods you can spend less money on utility bills throughout the summer.
- Install an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping electricity expenses small.
- Schedule regular air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running properly and may help it run at greater efficiency. It might also help prolong its life span, since it helps pros to discover little issues before they cause a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters frequently. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and drive up your energy.
- Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort troubles in your home, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air inside.
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 experts can help. Reach us at 541-286-6617 or contact us online for more info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.