You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a pleasant temp during the summer.

But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We discuss recommendations from energy pros so you can select the best temp for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a huge difference between your inside and outside warmth, your electrical expenses will be larger.

These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears hot, there are ways you can keep your home pleasant without having the AC on all the time.

Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cool air where it should be—within your home. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give extra insulation and improved energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, shut them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too warm initially, try doing a test for a week or so. Begin by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily decrease it while using the suggestions above. You might be surprised at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

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

When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t useful and often results in a more expensive electrical expense.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your settings controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to move the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free solution, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your house and when you’re away. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

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

We recommend trying a comparable test over a week, moving your temperature higher and progressively lowering it to determine the ideal setting for your house. On pleasant nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than operating the air conditioning.

More Methods to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather

There are added ways you can save money on utility bills throughout the summer.

  1. Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house comfier while keeping utility bills small.
  2. Book annual air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running like it should and may help it run at greater efficiency. It might also help prolong its life cycle, since it allows technicians to uncover small problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too much, and increase your cooling.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort problems in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air in its place by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air within your home.

Save More Energy This Summer with Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning

If you are looking to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning experts can help. Reach us at 360-255-5857 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling products.