You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at a pleasant temp during summer weather.

But what is the right temperature, exactly? We discuss recommendations from energy pros 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 Derby.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outdoor warmth, your cooling costs 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 sounds warm, there are approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioner going constantly.

Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer extra insulation and improved energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they cool with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too hot on the surface, try running a trial for about a week. Start by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily lower it while following the suggestions above. You might be shocked at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC running all day while your home is vacant. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your AC expenses, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t useful and often produces a more expensive electricity cost.

A programmable thermostat is a useful way to keep your temperature under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free solution, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for many families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, due to your PJ and blanket preference.

We advise trying an equivalent test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and progressively decreasing it to determine the ideal temperature for your house. On cool nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better option than running the air conditioner.

More Methods to Save Energy This Summer

There are additional approaches you can spend less money on energy bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping energy costs low.
  2. Schedule annual air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it run at better efficiency. It may also help extend its life cycle, since it helps pros to pinpoint seemingly insignificant problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too often, and raise your utility.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort troubles in your house, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air in its place by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air within your home.

Save More Energy This Summer with Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning

If you are looking to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning experts can assist you. Give us a call at 203-772-8319 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.