You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at a refreshing temperature during muggy weather.

But what is the right setting, exactly? We review advice from energy professionals so you can determine the best setting for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your indoor and outside temperatures, your electricity bills will be larger.

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 house cool without having the AC running all the time.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver extra insulation and better energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s since they freshen through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm initially, try running an experiment for a week or so. Start by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively turn it down while following the advice above. You could be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner on all day while your home is unoccupied. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity expenses, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t productive and typically results in a bigger electrical bill.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temp in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to raise the set temperature when you go.

If you want a handy remedy, consider getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re out. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? About $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from almost anywhere.

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

We advise using a comparable test over a week, putting your temp higher and progressively turning it down to determine the best temperature for your residence. On mild nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better option than operating the air conditioning.

More Methods to Save Energy During Hot Weather

There are extra methods you can save money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping AC bills down.
  2. Set annual air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating smoothly and might help it work at better efficiency. It may also help extend its life span, since it helps pros to pinpoint seemingly insignificant problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too often, and drive up your energy.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort troubles in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air indoors.

Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with Appalachian Heating

If you want to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Appalachian Heating experts can help. Reach us at 304-707-0600 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling products.