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

But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We discuss advice from energy professionals so you can select the best temp for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and outdoor temperatures, your electrical bills 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 ways you can keep your house refreshing without having the air conditioner running frequently.

Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—indoors. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give added insulation and improved energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they refresh by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable at first glance, try running a trial for a week or so. Get started by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually turn it down while following the ideas above. You might be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning going all day while your residence is unoccupied. Moving the temperature 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 switch your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t productive and often produces a more expensive AC bill.

A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your settings in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you run the risk of forgetting to move the set temperature when you leave.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free fix, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of getting 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 suggests 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for most families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that may be too chilly, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.

We advise trying a similar test over a week, putting your temp higher and progressively turning it down to locate the ideal temp for your residence. On mild nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better solution than using the AC.

More Methods to Save Energy During Warm Weather

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

  1. Upgrade to 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. A new air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping utility costs down.
  2. Book regular air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running like it should and might help it work at better efficiency. It can also help extend its life span, since it allows technicians to find little troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters frequently. Use 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 drive up your electricity.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can seep conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort issues in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep humid air in its place by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air inside.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling

If you are looking to use less energy during warm weather, our Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling experts can assist you. Get in touch with us at 208-561-1226 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling options.