You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant temperature during the summer.
But what is the right temperature, exactly? We go over suggestions from energy specialists so you can select the best setting for your loved ones.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Port Clinton.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your inside and outside temps, your electricity expenses will be higher.
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 ways you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioner running frequently.
Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window coverings, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to give extra insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s since they refresh through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too warm initially, try running an experiment for about a week. Begin by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively decrease it while using the suggestions above. You may be astonished at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning working all day while your home is unoccupied. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity costs, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t useful and often leads to a more expensive electrical expense.
A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your settings controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you take off.
If you need a handy resolution, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. 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 plus of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for many families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 65–68 degrees. But that might be too chilly, due to your pajama and blanket preference.
We advise using an equivalent test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and gradually lowering it to locate the right temp for your residence. On cool nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable option than operating the air conditioning.
More Ways to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather
There are extra ways you can conserve money on utility bills throughout hot weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping AC costs small.
- Book regular air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating like it should and might help it operate at greater efficiency. It may also help extend its life span, since it helps professionals to find seemingly insignificant issues before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too often, and drive up your utility.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort issues in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air in its place by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air inside.
Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with Ohler & Holzhauer Inc.
If you want to use less energy during warm weather, our Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. specialists can help. Get in touch with us at 419-732-2121 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling products.