You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at the right temp during summer weather.

But what is the best setting, exactly? We go over suggestions from energy specialists so you can select the best temp for your house.

Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Lake Worth.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outdoor temps, your electricity costs 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 seems hot, there are ways you can keep your house pleasant without having the air conditioner on all the time.

Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps chilled air where it should be—inside. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer added insulation and enhanced energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees warmer without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they cool through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable on the surface, try doing a trial for about a week. Start by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively lower it while adhering to the advice above. You could be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning going all day while your house is vacant. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t productive and often results in a higher electricity expense.

A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temperature controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to move the set temperature when you leave.

If you want a handy remedy, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? About $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

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

We suggest following a similar test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and progressively decreasing it to select the right setting for your residence. On cool nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better option than operating the air conditioning.

More Methods to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather

There are additional ways you can save money on energy bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Install an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping electricity costs small.
  2. Book annual air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running like it should and may help it work at better efficiency. It could also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it enables technicians to find small problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too much, and raise your cooling.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort problems in your home, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cool air inside.

Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Smyth Air Conditioning

If you are looking to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Smyth Air Conditioning specialists can help. Reach us at 561-533-6066 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.