You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a refreshing temperature during summer weather.

But what is the right temp, exactly? We review ideas from energy experts so you can choose the best temperature for your loved ones.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and outside warmth, your utility costs will be larger.

These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds too high, there are ways you can keep your home pleasant without having the air conditioning going constantly.

Keeping windows and window treatments shut during the day keeps chilled air where it should be—indoors. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give extra insulation and better energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s since they refresh with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm on the surface, try doing an experiment for a week or so. Start by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively turn it down while adhering to the suggestions above. You could be amazed at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.

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

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t productive and often leads to a bigger air conditioner bill.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temp under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to raise the set temperature when you go.

If you need a convenient solution, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? About $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.

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

We recommend using a comparable test over a week, setting your temperature higher and slowly decreasing it to determine the ideal temperature for your residence. On pleasant nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than using the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are additional ways you can spend less money on energy bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping electrical costs small.
  2. Set annual air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running like it should and might help it run at greater efficiency. It may also help extend its life cycle, since it helps techs to uncover little issues before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and increase your cooling.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to major comfort issues in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air inside.

Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C.

If you need to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. pros can provide assistance. Reach us at 956-630-3522 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.