You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at a pleasant temperature during warm days.

But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We go over suggestions from energy specialists so you can determine the best temperature for your residence.

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

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 inside and outdoor temperatures, your utility costs will be larger.

These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds hot, there are approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the AC on constantly.

Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide more insulation and improved energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they freshen through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm on the surface, try running an experiment for approximately a week. Start by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily decrease it while using the tips above. You could be astonished at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC working all day while your house is empty. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t effective and often results in a higher cooling bill.

A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your settings under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to move the set temperature when you take off.

If you want a handy solution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it automatically changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for many families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, due to your pajama and blanket preference.

We recommend running a comparable test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and progressively decreasing it to pinpoint the best temp for your family. On cool nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than using the air conditioning.

More Methods to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather

There are other methods you can conserve money on energy bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping electrical bills small.
  2. Schedule yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working smoothly and could help it work at better efficiency. It might also help lengthen its life cycle, since it allows pros to discover little problems before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too much, and raise your electrical.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort issues in your home, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air indoors.

Use Less Energy This Summer with Freed Heating & Air Conditioning

If you are looking to save more energy during hot weather, our Freed Heating & Air Conditioning experts can help. Reach us at 309-323-9584 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling products.