You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a pleasant temp during muggy weather.

But what is the best setting, exactly? We discuss recommendations from energy experts so you can find the best setting for your loved ones.

Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Kutztown and Breinigsville.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

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

These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds too high, there are ways you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioning on all the time.

Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide extra insulation and better energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too warm initially, try doing a test for a week or so. Begin by increasing your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while using the advice above. You might be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning running all day while your home is empty. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your air conditioning costs, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t productive and typically results in a higher cooling expense.

A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your settings under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you go.

If you want a handy solution, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for the majority of families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.

We recommend following a comparable test over a week, putting your temp higher and progressively decreasing it to find the ideal temp for your family. On mild nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior solution than operating the AC.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Hot Weather

There are extra approaches you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout the summer.

  1. Get an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping AC expenses down.
  2. Schedule regular air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working like it should and might help it operate more efficiently. It can also help prolong its life cycle, since it enables professionals to uncover small troubles before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too often, and increase your energy.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of houses 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 loosened over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort issues in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air within your home.

Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Moyer Total Indoor Comfort

If you are looking to use less energy during warm weather, our Moyer Total Indoor Comfort professionals can help. Reach us at 484-646-3363 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling products.