You shouldn’t have to compromise on comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at a pleasant setting during muggy weather.
But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We go over advice from energy pros so you can determine the best temperature for your house.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Manassas.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and exterior temps, your cooling bills will be higher.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds hot, there are ways you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioner going all the time.
Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—within your home. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to deliver more insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s because they freshen through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too warm initially, try conducting an experiment for a week or so. Begin by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually decrease it while adhering to the tips above. You might be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning running all day while your home is vacant. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t effective and typically leads to a higher AC expense.
A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your temperature controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you take off.
If you want a handy fix, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re out. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for many families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, 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 recommend using a comparable test over a week, putting your temperature higher and slowly decreasing it to determine the ideal temperature for your house. On cool nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better option than operating the air conditioner.
More Ways to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather
There are other ways you can save money on air conditioning bills throughout the summer.
- Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your house more comfortable while keeping utility costs down.
- Set annual air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running like it should and may help it work at greater efficiency. It might also help prolong its life cycle, since it helps professionals to find seemingly insignificant problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters often. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too often, and increase your electricity.
- Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the United States 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”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort troubles in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air within your home.
Use Less Energy This Summer with Air-Right Energy Design
If you want to use less energy during warm weather, our Air-Right Energy Design professionals can assist you. Get in touch with us at 703-260-1148 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.
