You shouldn’t have to compromise on comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at the right setting during muggy weather.

But what is the best setting, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy pros so you can determine the best setting for your loved ones.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your interior and outside warmth, your AC bills will be bigger.

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 ways you can keep your house refreshing without having the air conditioner going frequently.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cold air where it should be—inside. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide extra insulation and enhanced energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm on the surface, try running a test for approximately a week. Start by increasing your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while adhering to the advice above. You may be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC on all day while your home is vacant. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 5–15% on your cooling expenses, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t effective and usually results in a higher electricity cost.

A programmable thermostat is a useful way to keep your settings controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a convenient resolution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

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

We suggest using an equivalent test over a week, setting your temp higher and steadily lowering it to choose the best setting for your house. On cool nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than running the AC.

More Methods to Save Energy This Summer

There are added methods you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout the summer.

  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 get older. A new air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping energy costs down.
  2. Schedule annual air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating like it should and may help it operate more efficiently. It could also help extend its life expectancy, since it enables professionals to find little troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters frequently. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too much, and raise your energy.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort troubles in your home, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep hot air in its place by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air within your home.

Save More Energy This Summer with Prudhom Mechanical

If you need to save more energy this summer, our Prudhom Mechanical pros can assist you. Get in touch with us at 405-294-4618 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.