You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant setting during hot days.
But what is the best temp, exactly? We go over advice from energy professionals so you can choose the best temp for your loved ones.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Temple/Belton.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and exterior warmth, your cooling costs will be bigger.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears warm, there are approaches you can keep your residence pleasant without having the air conditioner on frequently.
Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—indoors. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide extra insulation and enhanced energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s since they cool with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too hot on the surface, try conducting an experiment for about a week. Begin by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily turn it down while using the advice above. You might be shocked at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning working all day while your house is empty. Turning the temperature 7¬¬–10 degrees higher can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your air conditioning bills, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t useful and usually leads to a higher AC expense.
A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your settings under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you leave.
If you’re looking for a convenient resolution, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit 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 suggests 82 degrees, that might be unbearable for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, based on your PJ and blanket preference.
We advise using a comparable test over a week, moving your temperature higher and slowly turning it down to locate the right temp for your residence. On cool nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better solution than operating the air conditioner.
More Ways to Save Energy This Summer
There are other ways you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping electrical
bills down. - Set annual AC maintenance. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running properly and could help it run at better efficiency. It could also help lengthen its life cycle, since it allows techs to uncover small troubles before they create a big meltdown.
- Put in new air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too often, and increase your cooling
bills. - Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has loosened as it’s aged can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your home, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air indoors.
Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with Bell Air Conditioning Inc
If you want to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Bell Air Conditioning Inc experts can provide assistance. Give us a call at 254-307-9572 or contact us online for more details about our energy-efficient cooling solutions.