You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at a refreshing setting during hot days.

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

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your inside and outdoor temps, your AC bills will be greater.

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

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

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give extra insulation and improved energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s because they refresh through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm at first glance, try conducting a test for approximately a week. Start by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively lower it while using the tips above. You might be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner running all day while your house is unoccupied. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical costs, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t useful and often results in a more expensive air conditioner bill.

A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your settings under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you leave.

If you need a convenient solution, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and adjust temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.

We advise using a similar test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and slowly decreasing it to find the right temp for your residence. On cool nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior solution than using the AC.

More Ways to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are added methods you can spend less money on energy bills throughout the summer.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient AC 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 residence comfier while keeping energy bills low.
  2. Book regular air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working properly and might help it work at better efficiency. It might also help extend its life expectancy, since it helps professionals to spot seemingly insignificant problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters frequently. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too much, and drive up your electrical.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has separated over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort troubles in your home, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air inside.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning

If you need to use less energy during hot weather, our Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning pros can help. Get in touch with us at 360-255-5857 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling products.