You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant temp during hot days.

But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We discuss advice from energy professionals so you can find the best temp for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and exterior temperatures, your electrical expenses will be bigger.

These are our recommendations 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 house cool without having the air conditioning on frequently.

Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—within your home. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to offer extra insulation and enhanced energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s since they refresh by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm on the surface, try running a trial for approximately a week. Get started by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively decrease it while using the tips above. You may be shocked at how refreshed 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 residence is unoccupied. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t useful and often produces a bigger electrical bill.

A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your temperature under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to increase the set temperature when you go.

If you want a hassle-free solution, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your house and when you’re out. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

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

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for most families. Many 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 cold, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.

We suggest using a similar test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and progressively lowering it to pinpoint the right temperature for your house. On cool nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than using the air conditioning.

More Ways to Use Less Energy This Summer

There are extra ways you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your house more comfortable while keeping utility bills low.
  2. Set regular air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working like it should and could help it operate at greater efficiency. It may also help extend its life span, since it allows professionals to pinpoint little troubles before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too often, and drive up your electrical.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort issues in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air within your home.

Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Stanford Heating & Cooling

If you need to conserve more energy this summer, our Stanford Heating & Cooling specialists can help. Get in touch with us at 812-825-8695 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling products.