You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at a refreshing temp during summer weather.

But what is the best temp, exactly? We discuss recommendations from energy experts so you can select the best temperature for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and exterior temperatures, your utility expenses will be greater.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems hot, there are approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioning running constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cool air where it should be—inside. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to offer extra insulation and enhanced energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they freshen with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not spaces, shut them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too warm initially, try doing a test for approximately a week. Get started by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually lower it while using the ideas above. You could be astonished at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC on all day while your home is vacant. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t useful and usually leads to a bigger air conditioner bill.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your settings under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a convenient remedy, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly 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 just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that could be too uncomfortable for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, based on your pajama and blanket preference.

We suggest running a comparable test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and progressively lowering it to pick the ideal temp for your house. On pleasant nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than running the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are other approaches you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Install an energy-efficient AC 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 more comfortable while keeping cooling bills down.
  2. Book annual air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working properly and may help it operate at greater efficiency. It could also help prolong its life span, since it enables technicians to find seemingly insignificant troubles before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too frequently, and drive up your energy.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses 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 require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort troubles in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air indoors.

Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with Brandywine Heating & Air

If you need to use less energy during warm weather, our Brandywine Heating & Air pros can provide assistance. Get in touch with us at 302-246-7971 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling products.