You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant setting during the summer.

But what is the best setting, exactly? We discuss advice from energy pros so you can choose the best setting for your home.

Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Huntingburg.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and exterior warmth, your electricity bills will be higher.

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 pleasant without having the AC running all the time.

Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps cold air where it should be—inside. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to deliver more insulation and improved energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees higher without compromising comfort. That’s since they freshen with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too hot initially, try doing a trial for approximately a week. Begin by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, progressively decrease it while following the suggestions above. You may be shocked at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC on all day while your house is vacant. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your electricity bills, 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 useful and usually produces a higher electrical bill.

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

If you need a hassle-free resolution, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your house and when you’re out. Then it automatically changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, based on your pajama and blanket preference.

We advise running a comparable test over a week, setting your temperature higher and steadily lowering it to select the ideal setting for your family. On pleasant nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better solution than running the air conditioner.

More Methods to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are additional methods you can spend less money on utility bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence cooler while keeping cooling expenses small.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and may help it run at better efficiency. It might also help lengthen its life span, since it enables professionals to uncover little problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too much, and drive up your electrical.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort problems in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it belongs by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air indoors.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Dearing's Service & Solutions

If you are looking to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Dearing's Service & Solutions professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 812-956-0349 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.