You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant setting during muggy weather.
But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We go over advice from energy professionals so you can choose the best temp for your home.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Pacheco.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and outdoor temps, your electrical bills 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 approaches you can keep your house pleasant without having the air conditioning running all the time.
Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window coverings, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide added insulation and improved energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable at first glance, try running a trial for a week or so. Start by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively turn it down while following the advice above. You could be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner going all day while your home is unoccupied. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling 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 results in a higher air conditioner cost.
A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your temperature in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you need a convenient solution, think about installing 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 instinctively modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $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 just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, due to your PJ and blanket preference.
We advise using an equivalent test over a week, moving your temp higher and slowly lowering it to locate the right temp for your family. On mild nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better solution than operating the AC.
More Approaches to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather
There are other ways you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout hot weather.
- Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. A new air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping utility costs low.
- Schedule regular air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating like it should and might help it run at greater efficiency. It may also help lengthen its life cycle, since it helps technicians to discover small issues before they cause a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too often, and increase your electricity.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air indoors.
Conserve More Energy This Summer with Clean Air HVAC
If you need to use less energy during hot weather, our Clean Air HVAC pros can help. Give us a call at 925-267-6219 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling options.
