You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a pleasant setting during warm days.

But what is the right setting, exactly? We review suggestions from energy specialists so you can determine the best temp for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and exterior warmth, your electricity costs will be higher.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds too high, there are ways you can keep your house pleasant without having the air conditioner on constantly.

Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to give extra insulation and better energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they refresh with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable on the surface, try running a test for approximately a week. Get started by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily lower it while following the advice above. You may be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC going all day while your house is vacant. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity bills, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t effective and typically produces a higher cooling bill.

A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temp controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to move the set temperature when you go.

If you need a convenient resolution, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for many families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 65–68 degrees. But that could be too cold, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.

We suggest trying an equivalent test over a week, putting your temp higher and slowly turning it down to choose the ideal temp for your family. On cool nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than running the air conditioning.

More Ways to Use Less Energy During Warm Weather

There are extra ways you can save money on utility bills throughout the summer.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping energy costs down.
  2. Book annual air conditioner maintenance. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working like it should and may help it run at greater efficiency. It may also help extend its life expectancy, since it allows techs to uncover small troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters frequently. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too much, and raise your electricity.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have enough 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 loosened over time can seep cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort problems in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air in its place by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air inside.

Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Freed Heating & Air Conditioning

If you want to conserve more energy this summer, our Freed Heating & Air Conditioning professionals can help. Give us a call at 309-762-3641 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.