You shouldn’t need to compromise on comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at a pleasant temp during warm days.

But what is the right setting, exactly? We review suggestions from energy specialists so you can choose the best setting for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a huge difference between your indoor and outdoor warmth, your cooling bills will be larger.

These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems warm, there are methods you can keep your home refreshing without having the air conditioning on constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cool air where it should be—within your home. Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide more insulation and enhanced energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too warm initially, try running a test for approximately a week. Get started by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually decrease it while following the tips above. You may be shocked at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC on all day while your residence is unoccupied. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your air conditioning costs, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t useful and usually produces a higher AC cost.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your temperature under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you leave.

If you need a hassle-free fix, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of getting 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 recommends 82 degrees, that might be unbearable for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 65–68 degrees. But that could be too cool, based on your pajama and blanket preference.

We recommend using an equivalent test over a week, moving your temperature higher and steadily turning it down to select the best temp for your residence. On pleasant nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than using the AC.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Hot Weather

There are added ways you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Install an energy-efficient air conditioning 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 residence more comfortable while keeping utility costs small.
  2. Schedule regular air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working properly and may help it run at greater efficiency. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it allows pros to uncover little problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too frequently, and raise your energy.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort issues in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it should be by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air within your home.

Save More Energy This Summer with Premium Air Services LLC

If you need to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Premium Air Services LLC experts can help. Get in touch with us at 713-364-1078 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling options.