You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a pleasant temp during muggy weather.

But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We go over advice from energy experts so you can choose the best temp for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outdoor warmth, your electrical 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 sounds warm, there are approaches you can keep your house pleasant without having the air conditioning going all the time.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—within your home. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to deliver more insulation and better energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable on the surface, try doing a trial for a week or so. Begin by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, progressively turn it down while adhering to the suggestions above. You may be surprised at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioning going all day while your house is vacant. Switching the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t effective and often leads to a more expensive electricity expense.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your temp in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to increase the set temperature when you leave.

If you need a handy solution, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.

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

We suggest using a comparable test over a week, moving your temp higher and gradually turning it down to determine the right temp for your family. On mild nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better option than using the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather

There are added approaches you can spend less money on energy bills throughout the summer.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping cooling expenses small.
  2. Set regular air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating smoothly and could help it run at greater efficiency. It may also help prolong its life expectancy, since it allows technicians to uncover seemingly insignificant troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too much, and drive up your utility.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of houses in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of 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 leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort issues in your house, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep humid air in its place by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air within your home.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with A&A Air Conditioning, Heating & Sheet Metal

If you need to conserve more energy this summer, our A&A Air Conditioning, Heating & Sheet Metal professionals can provide assistance. Reach us at 530-273-1301 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.