You shouldn’t have to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at the right temperature during warm days.

But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We go over advice from energy pros so you can determine the best temperature for your loved ones.

Here’s what we recommend 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 most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your interior and exterior warmth, your electricity expenses 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 hot, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the AC running constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver added insulation and improved energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without compromising comfort. That’s because they refresh by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too hot on the surface, try doing a test for about a week. Get started by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while following the tips above. You might be shocked at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC running all day while your home is unoccupied. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 5–15% on your cooling costs, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t useful and often leads to a bigger electrical expense.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your settings under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a convenient resolution, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that might be too uncomfortable for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, due to your PJ and blanket preference.

We recommend using an equivalent test over a week, moving your temp higher and steadily decreasing it to pinpoint the best temperature for your house. On cool nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior solution than running the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are extra methods you can spend less money on AC bills throughout the summer.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping AC costs low.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating like it should and might help it work at better efficiency. It may also help extend its life span, since it allows pros to uncover little problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too often, and increase your electrical.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your home, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cool air indoors.

Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co.

If you want to save more energy during warm weather, our Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 863-216-2923 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling products.