You shouldn’t have to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a pleasant setting during summer weather.

But what is the best setting, exactly? We go over suggestions from energy experts so you can determine the best temperature for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a huge difference between your interior and exterior temperatures, your cooling expenses 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 approaches you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioner on constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide added insulation and improved energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s because they refresh through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm initially, try doing a test for about a week. Get started by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually decrease it while adhering to the suggestions above. You might be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning on all day while your residence is empty. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees higher can save you an estimated 5–15% on your air conditioning bills, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t effective and typically results in a more expensive cooling expense.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your temperature controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to increase the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a convenient solution, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.

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

We suggest using a similar test over a week, putting your temp higher and steadily decreasing it to find the best temperature for your residence. On mild nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than operating the air conditioning.

More Methods to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are other approaches you can conserve money on utility bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Buy 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 home comfier while keeping electricity expenses low.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating smoothly and may help it work at better efficiency. It can also help prolong its life cycle, since it allows pros to find small problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too often, and increase your energy.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has separated over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort issues in your home, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air indoors.

Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling

If you are looking to use less energy during warm weather, our Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling pros can assist you. Give us a call at 740-474-5940 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.