You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant temperature during the summer.
But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We review ideas from energy experts so you can find the best temp for your residence.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Menomonie and western Wisconsin.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outside temps, your electrical costs 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 seems warm, there are approaches you can keep your home pleasant without having the AC going frequently.
Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—inside. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give more insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they refresh through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable on the surface, try running a test for a week or so. Get started by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while adhering to the advice above. You might be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC running all day while your house is vacant. Switching the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electricity expenses, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t effective and often results in a bigger air conditioner expense.
A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your settings controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to move the set temperature when you leave.
If you need a convenient solution, think over 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 modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another advantage of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and change temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We suggest running a comparable test over a week, moving your temp higher and slowly lowering it to locate the right setting for your residence. On cool nights, you might discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than running the air conditioning.
More Methods to Save Energy This Summer
There are other ways you can save money on cooling bills throughout the summer.
- Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping AC bills down.
- Set annual air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating properly and might help it work at greater efficiency. It can also help extend its life cycle, since it helps professionals to discover small issues before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too frequently, and increase your electricity.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to major comfort problems in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air within your home.
Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Halverson Brothers Inc
If you need to use less energy during warm weather, our Halverson Brothers Inc specialists can provide assistance. Get in touch with us at 715-578-8046 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling options.
