You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at the right temp during warm days.
But what is the right temp, exactly? We discuss ideas from energy professionals so you can find the best setting for your loved ones.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Holdrege.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and exterior temperatures, your electrical costs 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 seems too high, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioner on frequently.
Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver extra insulation and improved energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too warm at first glance, try doing an experiment for about a week. Start by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually lower it while using the ideas above. You might be amazed at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC working all day while your home is unoccupied. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your air conditioning bills, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t effective and usually leads to a more expensive electricity bill.
A programmable thermostat is a useful way to keep your temperature controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you want a handy solution, think about getting 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 intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? About $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus 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 advises 82 degrees, that could be too uncomfortable for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 65–68 degrees. But that could be too cool, depending on your PJ and blanket preference.
We suggest trying a similar test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and progressively decreasing it to find the ideal temperature for your house. On cool nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better solution than operating the AC.
More Ways to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather
There are extra ways you can conserve money on air conditioning bills throughout the summer.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping electrical costs small.
- Book yearly air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running like it should and may help it run at better efficiency. It can also help prolong its life span, since it allows professionals to pinpoint small troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and drive up your electrical.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have proper 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 come apart over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort problems in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air inside.
Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Durable Service
If you are looking to save more energy during hot weather, our Durable Service experts can help. Give us a call at 308-995-8177 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.
