You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at the right setting during muggy weather.
But what is the best setting, exactly? We review advice from energy pros so you can find the best setting for your residence.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in New Castle.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a huge difference between your indoor and exterior warmth, your cooling bills will be larger.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears warm, there are methods you can keep your home cool without having the AC on frequently.
Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—indoors. Some window coverings, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide extra insulation and better energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s since they refresh with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable on the surface, try conducting an experiment for a week or so. Start by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while following the ideas above. You may be shocked at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning going all day while your home is vacant. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity bills, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t productive and usually produces a bigger AC cost.
A programmable thermostat is a useful way to keep your temp in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you need a convenient solution, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year 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 nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that may be unbearable for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, based on your pajama and blanket preference.
We advise running an equivalent test over a week, moving your temp higher and progressively decreasing it to determine the right temperature for your family. On mild nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than running the AC.
More Ways to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are added approaches you can save money on cooling bills throughout the summer.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping electricity bills low.
- Book yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating smoothly and may help it operate at better efficiency. It might also help extend its life span, since it enables professionals to spot little problems before they cause a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too frequently, and raise your cooling.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort troubles in your house, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it should be by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air within your home.
Save More Energy This Summer with Central Heating & Plumbing
If you are looking to use less energy during warm weather, our Central Heating & Plumbing professionals can assist you. Give us a call at 724-530-3753 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling options.