You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a refreshing temperature during muggy weather.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We go over ideas from energy pros so you can find the best temp for your home.

Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Cottonwood & Verde Valley.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and outdoor temps, your electrical costs 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 home pleasant without having the air conditioning running frequently.

Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cool air where it should be—indoors. Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to give extra insulation and improved energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, turn them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too hot at first glance, try doing an experiment for about a week. Begin by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily turn it down while adhering to the tips above. You might be amazed at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC going all day while your residence is empty. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your AC expenses, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat under 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t effective and usually produces a bigger air conditioner bill.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your settings under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you leave.

If you need a convenient solution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that could be too uncomfortable for the majority of families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 65–68 degrees. But that could be too cool, based on your pajama and blanket preference.

We suggest using a comparable test over a week, moving your temp higher and progressively lowering it to determine the best temperature for your family. On cool nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior solution than using the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are extra ways you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.

  1. 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 more comfortable while keeping utility bills down.
  2. Set annual air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running smoothly and might help it work at better efficiency. It can also help lengthen its life span, since it enables professionals to find little issues before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too much, and raise your energy.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cool air indoors.

Use Less Energy This Summer with Connolly Electric & Mechanical

If you want to use less energy during hot weather, our Connolly Electric & Mechanical pros can help. Reach us at 928-862-5977 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling options.