You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a pleasant setting during hot days.
But what is the best setting, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy professionals so you can choose the best temp for your residence.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Ames.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a major difference between your indoor and outdoor temperatures, your cooling expenses will be greater.
These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears warm, there are ways you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioner running constantly.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—within your home. Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give extra insulation and better energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable initially, try conducting an experiment for approximately a week. Start by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily turn it down while following the ideas above. You could be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC working all day while your home is vacant. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electricity bills, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t useful and often leads to a more expensive electricity expense.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temperature under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you go.
If you want a convenient solution, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and change temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that might be unbearable for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, based on your PJ and blanket preference.
We suggest following an equivalent test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and progressively turning it down to determine the best temp for your house. On mild nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better option than running the AC.
More Methods to Use Less Energy During Warm Weather
There are other approaches you can save money on air conditioning bills throughout the summer.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping AC bills small.
- Set yearly air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working smoothly and may help it run at greater efficiency. It might also help extend its life expectancy, since it enables pros to pinpoint seemingly insignificant troubles before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too much, and increase your electricity.
- Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort troubles in your house, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air indoors.
Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Haselhoff Air Solutions
If you are looking to save more energy this summer, our Haselhoff Air Solutions professionals can assist you. Get in touch with us at 515-450-8739 or contact us online for more info about our energy-saving cooling options.