You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at a refreshing temp during hot days.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We review advice from energy specialists so you can find the best temperature for your loved ones.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your inside and exterior temperatures, your utility 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 appears hot, there are ways you can keep your residence refreshing without having the AC going all the time.

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

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees warmer without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable initially, try doing a trial for about a week. Start by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily lower it while adhering to the advice above. You might be surprised at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC running all day while your home is empty. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees higher can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electrical costs, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t effective and usually results in a more expensive cooling expense.

A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your temperature under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to move the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a handy remedy, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that might be too uncomfortable for most families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cool, based on your clothing and blanket preference.

We advise trying an equivalent test over a week, moving your temp higher and steadily decreasing it to pick the ideal setting for your family. On mild nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable option than using the air conditioning.

More Methods to Save Energy This Summer

There are other approaches you can conserve money on energy bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping cooling bills down.
  2. Schedule yearly air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it run at greater efficiency. It might also help extend its life expectancy, since it enables pros to spot seemingly insignificant troubles before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters often. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too frequently, and raise your energy.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has loosened over time can seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to major comfort issues in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air within your home.

Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Booneville Heating & Cooling

If you need to use less energy this summer, our Booneville Heating & Cooling experts can provide assistance. Give us a call at 662-269-8716 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling options.