You shouldn’t have to compromise on comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant temp during muggy weather.

But what is the best temperature, exactly? We discuss recommendations from energy professionals so you can choose the best temp for your loved ones.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and exterior temps, your utility costs will be greater.

This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds hot, there are methods you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioner on frequently.

Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give added insulation and better energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they cool by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too hot at first glance, try conducting an experiment for a week or so. Get started by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily turn it down while adhering to the ideas above. You may be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner on all day while your house is vacant. Switching the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 5–15% on your air conditioning expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t useful and usually leads to a more expensive air conditioner cost.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your settings in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a convenient solution, 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 gone. Then it automatically changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of using 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 could be unbearable for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, based on your PJ and blanket preference.

We suggest using an equivalent test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and gradually turning it down to find the ideal temp for your family. On mild nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than running the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are extra approaches you can spend less money on energy bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your house comfier while keeping utility expenses low.
  2. Book regular air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working like it should and could help it run at better efficiency. It could also help prolong its life span, since it helps pros to discover small problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too frequently, and increase your electricity.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort issues in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air in its place by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air inside.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Appalachian Heating

If you want to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Appalachian Heating experts can provide assistance. Get in touch with us at 304-707-0600 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling options.