You shouldn’t have to compromise on comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant setting during the summer.
But what is the best setting, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy specialists so you can find the best temp for your family.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Northglenn.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and exterior temperatures, your cooling costs will be bigger.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems warm, there are approaches you can keep your home cool without having the air conditioner running all the time.
Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps cool air where it should be—inside. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to offer added insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees warmer without giving up comfort. That’s because they cool by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too hot on the surface, try conducting an experiment for approximately a week. Get started by increasing 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 rationale for keeping the AC working all day while your residence is empty. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t effective and usually results in a more expensive air conditioner expense.
A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your settings controlled, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to increase the set temperature when you leave.
If you need a convenient solution, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively modifies temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping space is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 65–68 degrees. But that might be too chilly, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We recommend running a comparable test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and slowly turning it down to find the best setting for your residence. On cool nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than operating the air conditioner.
More Ways to Save Energy During Hot Weather
There are other methods you can conserve money on energy bills throughout hot weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your house comfier while keeping cooling expenses small.
- Book annual air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running like it should and might help it work more efficiently. It can also help extend its life expectancy, since it helps technicians to pinpoint seemingly insignificant problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Change air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too often, and increase your electrical.
- Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort troubles in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air inside.
Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning
If you are looking to save more energy this summer, our Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning specialists can assist you. Reach us at 303-452-4146 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling products.