You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at a refreshing temp during the summer.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We review advice from energy pros so you can choose the best setting for your house.

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

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 temps, your cooling 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 too high, there are approaches you can keep your residence pleasant without having the air conditioner on constantly.

Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps chilled air where it should be—inside. Some window coverings, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to offer extra insulation and better energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s since they freshen with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm initially, try running an experiment for a week or so. Get started by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, gradually lower it while adhering to the tips above. You may be astonished at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

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

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t effective and typically leads to a more expensive electricity bill.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temp under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to raise the set temperature when you go.

If you’re looking for a handy resolution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it instinctively modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk 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 the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping space is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 65–68 degrees. But that could be too chilly, due to your clothing and blanket preference.

We recommend using a comparable test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and gradually lowering it to pinpoint the best setting for your house. On mild nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better solution than operating the air conditioning.

More Methods to Use Less Energy During Warm Weather

There are additional approaches you can spend less money on energy bills throughout the summer.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence cooler while keeping energy expenses down.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working properly and might help it work at greater efficiency. It could also help lengthen its life span, since it enables professionals to uncover small troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and raise your electricity.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of homes in the USA 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”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort issues in your home, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air within your home.

Use Less Energy This Summer with R&R Cooling Solutions

If you want to conserve more energy during hot weather, our R&R Cooling Solutions experts can help. Get in touch with us at 813-331-9902 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.