You shouldn’t have to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant temperature during warm days.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We go over advice from energy pros so you can find the best temp for your family.

Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Crown Point.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a big difference between your inside and exterior warmth, your electricity bills 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 approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the AC on frequently.

Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps chilled air where it should be—indoors. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide extra insulation and better energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s since they cool through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm on the surface, try running an experiment for approximately a week. Begin by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively lower it while following the advice above. You might be surprised at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC running all day while your residence is vacant. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your air conditioning costs, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t useful and typically results in a bigger AC expense.

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

If you’re looking for a handy fix, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for most families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cool, based on your pajama and blanket preference.

We advise using a similar test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and gradually decreasing it to pick the right temperature for your family. On cool nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than using the AC.

More Methods to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are other approaches you can conserve money on utility bills throughout the summer.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping energy bills down.
  2. Set regular air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working like it should and may help it operate at greater efficiency. It might also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it helps techs to discover small troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters frequently. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too often, and raise your energy.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences 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 need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort problems in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air indoors.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Struven Heating & Cooling

If you want to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Struven Heating & Cooling specialists can assist you. Reach us at 219-292-0956 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.