You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at the right temperature during muggy weather.
But what is the best setting, exactly? We review suggestions from energy professionals so you can select the best temp for your family.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Haines City.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and exterior warmth, your cooling bills 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 appears hot, there are methods you can keep your house refreshing without having the air conditioner on constantly.
Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide more insulation and improved energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too hot on the surface, try running an experiment for a week or so. Get started by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily lower it while using the tips above. You might be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner running all day while your residence is unoccupied. Moving the setting 7¬¬–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your AC costs, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t productive and often results in a higher air conditioner cost.
A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your settings under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you go.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free remedy, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of installing 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 unpleasant for many families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that may be too chilly, based on your PJ and blanket preference.
We suggest trying a comparable test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and steadily lowering it to find the ideal setting for your house. On cool nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior idea than operating the AC.
More Approaches to Save Energy During Hot Weather
There are added methods you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout the summer.
- Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping AC
bills low. - Set annual AC tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running like it should and could help it operate more efficiently. It may also help prolong its life expectancy, since it allows technicians to discover seemingly insignificant issues before they cause a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and increase your electricity
bills. - Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over the years can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort troubles in your house, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air inside.
Save More Energy This Summer with Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co.
If you are looking to use less energy this summer, our Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. experts can assist you. Give us a call at 863-216-2923 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-conserving cooling solutions.