You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at a pleasant setting during the summer.
But what is the right setting, exactly? We review suggestions from energy professionals so you can choose the best temp for your home.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Port Clinton.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a major difference between your indoor and outside warmth, your electrical costs will be bigger.
These are our recommendations 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 refreshing without having the air conditioning running all the time.
Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cold air where it should be—within your home. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give extra insulation and enhanced energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they cool with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too warm initially, try conducting an experiment for a week or so. Get started by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, gradually turn it down while following the advice above. You may be shocked at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC on all day while your residence is vacant. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your cooling costs, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t effective and usually produces a bigger electricity bill.
A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your settings controlled, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to raise the set temperature when you leave.
If you need a convenient fix, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for most families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, based on your pajama and blanket preference.
We advise using an equivalent test over a week, putting your temperature higher and gradually lowering it to select the ideal setting for your house. On mild nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than operating the air conditioning.
More Approaches to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather
There are added approaches you can spend less money on AC bills throughout warm weather.
- Install an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping energy expenses low.
- Book annual air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating smoothly and could help it run at better efficiency. It could also help prolong its life cycle, since it allows techs to discover small issues before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and increase your electricity.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the U.S. 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”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort problems in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air within your home.
Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Ohler & Holzhauer Inc.
If you want to use less energy during hot weather, our Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. specialists can assist you. Get in touch with us at 419-732-2121 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling options.