You shouldn’t have to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a pleasant temp during warm days.

But what is the right temperature, exactly? We go over recommendations from energy pros so you can find the best temperature for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and exterior temperatures, your electricity costs will be larger.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears hot, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the AC running constantly.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cold air where it should be—indoors. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to offer added insulation and enhanced energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they freshen by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too hot initially, try doing an experiment for about a week. Begin by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while using the ideas 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 on all day while your home is vacant. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your air conditioning bills, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t effective and often leads to a more expensive cooling cost.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temperature under control, 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 want a hassle-free fix, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from almost anywhere.

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

We advise using an equivalent test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and gradually turning it down to determine the ideal temp for your house. On mild nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better solution than running the air conditioning.

More Ways to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are added methods you can conserve money on utility bills throughout the summer.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping AC expenses low.
  2. Schedule regular air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working smoothly and might help it operate at better efficiency. It may also help lengthen its life cycle, since it helps professionals to spot seemingly insignificant troubles before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and drive up your electricity.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort troubles in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air indoors.

Use Less Energy This Summer with Air-Right Energy Design

If you want to use less energy this summer, our Air-Right Energy Design professionals can help. Reach us at 703-260-1148 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling options.