Whats the Most Energy-Efficient AC Setting?

You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at a pleasant temp during the summer.

But what is the best setting, exactly? We review ideas from energy specialists so you can find the best temperature for your house.

Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in South Beloit and Belvidere.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and outside temperatures, your electrical costs will be higher.

These are our suggestions 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 home cool without having the air conditioning going all the time.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps chilled air where it should be—indoors. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide extra insulation and improved energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, shut them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm initially, try conducting a trial for approximately a week. Begin by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually turn it down while using the suggestions above. You might be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner on all day while your house is vacant. Switching the temperature 7¬¬–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 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 residence faster. This isn’t productive and usually results in a higher air conditioner bills.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temp under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you leave.

If you’re looking for a handy resolution, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it automatically changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

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

We advise trying a similar test over a week, setting your temp higher and progressively decreasing it to determine the ideal temperature for your family. On mild nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better idea than using the air conditioning.

More Methods to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are added approaches you can spend less money on energy bills throughout hot weather.

1. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning 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 more comfortable while keeping energy
expenses small.
2. Set regular air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running smoothly and might help it run at greater efficiency. It can also help prolong its life span, since it allows professionals to find small issues before they create an expensive meltdown.
3. Put in new air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too often, and drive up your cooling
expenses.
4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over the years can seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort troubles in your home, like hot and cold spots.
6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air within your home.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc

If you want to use less energy during warm weather, our Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc experts can help. Give us a call at 877-389-2465 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling products.