You shouldn’t have to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at the right temp during muggy weather.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We review recommendations from energy professionals so you can determine the best temp for your residence.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a huge difference between your interior and outdoor warmth, your cooling bills 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 appears hot, there are approaches you can keep your home refreshing without having the AC running constantly.

Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—indoors. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give extra insulation and better energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s because they cool by a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable at first glance, try conducting a trial for a week or so. Get started by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while adhering to the suggestions above. You could be astonished at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner running all day while your home is empty. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling expenses, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t useful and typically leads to a higher AC expense.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your settings under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to change the set temperature when you take off.

If you want a hassle-free solution, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that might be unbearable for most families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, based on your clothing and blanket preference.

We recommend running an equivalent test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and slowly turning it down to locate the ideal setting for your residence. On mild nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior option than operating the air conditioning.

More Ways to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are other methods you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence comfier while keeping electricity expenses low.
  2. Schedule regular air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating smoothly and might help it run more efficiently. It can also help lengthen its life cycle, since it helps techs to uncover seemingly insignificant problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too often, and increase your cooling.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of houses 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 need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort troubles in your home, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air within your home.

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

If you are looking to use less energy during warm weather, our H&C Heating and Cooling pros can help. Reach us at 301-960-3247 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling options.