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

But what is the right setting, exactly? We review recommendations from energy professionals so you can select the best setting for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and outside temperatures, your electricity costs will be bigger.

This is our advice 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 conditioning going constantly.

Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to give extra insulation and better energy savings.

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

If 78 degrees still seems too warm initially, try running a trial for a week or so. Start by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while following the advice above. You might be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning working all day while your residence is unoccupied. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your cooling costs, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t productive and typically produces a more expensive electrical expense.

A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your temp in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to raise the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a handy remedy, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your residence 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 plus of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.

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

We advise running a comparable test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and progressively decreasing it to locate the best temperature for your house. On cool nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior solution than operating the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are extra ways you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping energy bills down.
  2. Schedule annual air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating properly and might help it work at better efficiency. It might also help prolong its life span, since it enables technicians to find little troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too much, and increase your electricity.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort issues in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air within your home.

Conserve More Energy This Summer with H&C Heating and Cooling

If you want to save more energy during warm weather, our H&C Heating and Cooling professionals can provide assistance. Reach us at 301-960-3247 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.