You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant temperature during summer weather.

But what is the best temp, exactly? We review suggestions from energy experts so you can choose the best temperature for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outdoor warmth, your AC costs will be higher.

This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems too high, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioner on all the time.

Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—inside. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give more insulation and better energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable on the surface, try doing an experiment for about a week. Begin by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while following the tips above. You might be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning on all day while your residence is vacant. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your AC expenses, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat under 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t effective and typically produces a more expensive cooling cost.

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 raise the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a convenient fix, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it instinctively modifies temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.

We advise running a similar test over a week, setting your temperature higher and slowly decreasing it to pick the best temperature for your house. On mild nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than running the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather

There are other approaches you can save money on energy bills throughout the summer.

  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 residence comfier while keeping electricity costs small.
  2. Set regular air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating properly and may help it work at better efficiency. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it allows technicians to find seemingly insignificant troubles before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters frequently. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too frequently, and raise your electricity.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort troubles in your house, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air indoors.

Use Less Energy This Summer with McFadden Heating & Cooling

If you are looking to use less energy during hot weather, our McFadden Heating & Cooling pros can help. Get in touch with us at 519-683-2339 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling options.