You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a pleasant temperature during summer weather.

But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We go over advice from energy specialists so you can choose the best temperature for your loved ones.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and exterior warmth, your electricity expenses will be bigger.

These are our recommendations 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 home cool without having the air conditioning running constantly.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—inside. Some window coverings, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give more insulation and better energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s since they refresh through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable on the surface, try running a trial for approximately a week. Get started by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively decrease it while following the advice above. You could be astonished at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

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

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t productive and usually results in a bigger electricity bill.

A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your temperature controlled, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you go.

If you want a convenient remedy, consider getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be too uncomfortable for most families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that may be too chilly, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.

We suggest running an equivalent test over a week, setting your temperature higher and slowly turning it down to choose the best setting for your house. On pleasant nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior solution than using the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Hot Weather

There are additional methods you can conserve money on energy bills throughout hot weather.

  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 age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping utility expenses down.
  2. Schedule annual air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working properly and might help it work at better efficiency. It could also help lengthen its life span, since it enables technicians to discover little issues before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too much, and raise your energy.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort problems in your home, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by sealing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air inside.

Use Less Energy This Summer with B&D Air Conditioning

If you are looking to conserve more energy during hot weather, our B&D Air Conditioning experts can assist you. Give us a call at 928-506-3166 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling options.