You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at a refreshing setting during hot days.
But what is the best temp, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy experts so you can choose the best setting for your loved ones.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Boynton Beach.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outdoor temps, your electrical bills will be bigger.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems warm, there are approaches you can keep your residence pleasant without having the air conditioner running all the time.
Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cold air where it should be—within your home. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give more insulation and improved energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable initially, try doing a trial for about a week. Begin by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily turn it down while adhering to the advice above. You may be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioning on all day while your home is unoccupied. Moving the setting 7¬¬–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity expenses, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t productive and typically results in a higher air conditioner bills.
A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your temp controlled, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to increase the set temperature when you go.
If you want a handy remedy, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects 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? 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 change temperature settings from almost anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cool, due to your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend running an equivalent test over a week, setting your temp higher and steadily turning it down to locate the best setting for your house. On cool nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than using the AC.
More Methods to Use Less Energy During Warm Weather
There are additional approaches you can spend less money on energy bills throughout warm weather.
- Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping AC
bills small. - Book yearly air conditioning maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running smoothly and could help it operate more efficiently. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it helps technicians to spot small problems before they lead to an expensive meltdown.
- Replace air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too frequently, and increase your energy
costs. - Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has separated over the years can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort troubles in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air indoors.
Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with A2Z Air Inc
If you are looking to conserve more energy during hot weather, our A2Z Air Inc experts can assist you. Reach us at 561-270-6228 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling options.