You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at the right temp during muggy weather.
But what is the right temp, exactly? We review ideas from energy professionals so you can choose the best temperature for your family.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Croydon.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and exterior warmth, your electrical bills will be higher.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds too high, there are ways you can keep your home cool without having the AC going constantly.
Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to offer more insulation and better energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s because they freshen with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too hot on the surface, try running an experiment for about a week. Get started by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually decrease it while following the advice above. You may be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC on all day while your residence is unoccupied. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t useful and often produces a bigger electricity expense.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temp controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you need a convenient solution, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage 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 suggests 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cool, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend trying a comparable test over a week, setting your temp higher and progressively lowering it to locate the best temp for your residence. On pleasant nights, you might discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better solution than using the air conditioning.
More Methods to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather
There are other methods you can conserve money on AC bills throughout warm weather.
- Get an energy-efficient AC 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 house cooler while keeping AC expenses small.
- Set yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working smoothly and may help it operate at better efficiency. It may also help lengthen its life cycle, since it helps professionals to spot small issues before they cause a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too frequently, and drive up your energy.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most 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 conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to major comfort problems in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air within your home.
Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC
If you want to use less energy during warm weather, our Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC experts can provide assistance. Get in touch with us at 215-741-5505 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling options.