You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at a pleasant setting during muggy weather.
But what is the best temp, exactly? We review suggestions from energy specialists so you can select the best temp for your loved ones.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outside temperatures, your electrical 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 sounds too high, there are approaches you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioner running constantly.
Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—within your home. Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer added insulation and enhanced energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh by a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too warm initially, try doing an experiment for a week or so. Start by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while using the suggestions above. You could be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioning running all day while your home is empty. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electrical 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 quickly. This isn’t effective and usually produces a higher air conditioner expense.
A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your settings under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you leave.
If you’re looking for a handy fix, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your house and when you’re away. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could be too uncomfortable for many families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cool, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We suggest following a similar test over a week, putting your temp higher and progressively lowering it to pinpoint the right temperature for your family. On mild nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior solution than running the air conditioning.
More Approaches to Conserve Energy This Summer
There are extra methods you can save money on AC bills throughout the summer.
- Install an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house comfier while keeping cooling costs small.
- Schedule annual air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running like it should and could help it operate at better efficiency. It might also help extend its life cycle, since it helps technicians to find small issues before they cause a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too often, and drive up your cooling.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort troubles in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air indoors.
Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Air Concepts of Middle Georgia
If you are looking to save more energy this summer, our Air Concepts of Middle Georgia pros can assist you. Give us a call at 478-200-5689 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling products.