You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at the right temperature during summer weather.
But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We review advice from energy pros so you can determine the best temperature for your house.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Moline.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your indoor and exterior temps, your electrical expenses 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 appears hot, there are methods you can keep your home cool without having the AC running all the time.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cool air where it should be—within your home. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide more insulation and improved energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they cool through a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too hot on the surface, try doing a test for approximately a week. Start by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily decrease it while adhering to the suggestions above. You might be astonished at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC on all day while your home is unoccupied. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity expenses, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t useful and usually results in a more expensive AC expense.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temperature in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you leave.
If you want a handy remedy, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it automatically changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cool, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend running a similar test over a week, setting your temperature higher and steadily turning it down to select the ideal temp for your house. On cool nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable option than running the air conditioning.
More Approaches to Save Energy This Summer
There are added ways you can conserve money on energy bills throughout warm weather.
- Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. A new air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping utility bills down.
- Set annual air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating properly and might help it operate at greater efficiency. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it enables technicians to pinpoint small problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too much, and increase your electrical.
- Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort troubles in your home, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air in its place by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air within your home.
Save More Energy This Summer with J.L. Brady Company LLC
If you want to conserve more energy this summer, our J.L. Brady Company LLC specialists can assist you. Reach us at 309-865-5564 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.
