You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at a refreshing temperature during summer weather.
But what is the best temp, exactly? We go over ideas from energy specialists so you can determine the best setting for your house.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Omaha.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and exterior temps, your electricity expenses will be higher.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds warm, there are ways you can keep your home cool without having the air conditioner on all the time.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—inside. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give added insulation and improved energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they refresh by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, turn them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable on the surface, try running a trial for approximately a week. Start by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, progressively turn it down while using the tips above. You might be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner working all day while your house is unoccupied. Turning the temperature 7¬¬–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t effective and usually results in a higher cooling expense.
A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your temperature under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you run the risk of forgetting to increase the set temperature when you go.
If you need a hassle-free fix, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another plus of having 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 may be unbearable for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, based on your clothing and blanket preference.
We advise trying a similar test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and steadily decreasing it to select the ideal temperature for your house. On pleasant nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better idea than using the AC.
More Approaches to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather
There are extra approaches you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house comfier while keeping cooling
bills low. - Book yearly AC service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating smoothly and might help it run at greater efficiency. It could also help prolong its life expectancy, since it allows techs to find seemingly insignificant issues before they lead to a big meltdown.
- Put in new air filters often. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too frequently, and increase your electricity
costs. - Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of homes in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over the years can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to major comfort troubles in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it should be by plugging cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air within your home.
Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with The Frazier Company
If you need to use less energy during warm weather, our The Frazier Company specialists can help. Get in touch with us at 402-628-0206 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-efficient cooling solutions.