You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at a refreshing setting during hot days.
But what is the right temp, exactly? We review suggestions from energy professionals so you can determine the best setting for your loved ones.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Lafayette.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your inside and outside warmth, your cooling bills will be higher.
These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems too high, there are ways you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioning going constantly.
Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cold air where it should be—within your home. Some window coverings, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to deliver extra insulation and enhanced energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen through a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable at first glance, try conducting an experiment for approximately a week. Begin by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively lower it while using the advice above. You could be astonished at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner working all day while your home is unoccupied. Switching the setting 7¬¬–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your AC bills, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t useful and often results in a more expensive AC bills.
A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your temp under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to change the set temperature when you leave.
If you want a handy remedy, consider getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it instinctively modifies temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that may be too chilly, depending on your PJ and blanket preference.
We recommend trying a similar test over a week, moving your temperature higher and steadily decreasing it to choose the best temp for your family. On mild nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better option than using the air conditioner.
More Ways to Save Energy During Hot Weather
There are extra approaches you can conserve money on energy bills throughout hot weather.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house more comfortable while keeping electricity
costs low. - Schedule regular air conditioning tune-ups. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it run at better efficiency. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it helps technicians to discover little problems before they lead to an expensive meltdown.
- Switch air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too much, and increase your utility
expenses. - Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort problems in your home, like hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it should be by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air inside.
Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with AC Sales
If you need to use less energy this summer, our AC Sales pros can assist you. Get in touch with us at (337) 234-2345 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-efficient cooling solutions.
