You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a refreshing setting during summer weather.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We review ideas from energy specialists so you can determine the best setting for your residence.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outdoor temps, your electrical costs will be greater.

This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears hot, there are approaches you can keep your home refreshing without having the air conditioning on constantly.

Keeping windows and blinds closed during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—indoors. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer more insulation and enhanced energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s since they freshen through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too hot on the surface, try running a trial for a week or so. Start by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, gradually lower it while using the suggestions above. You might be shocked at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning working all day while your house is unoccupied. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your AC expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t effective and usually produces a bigger AC cost.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful way to keep your settings controlled, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to move the set temperature when you go.

If you want a handy fix, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re away. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

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

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

We suggest running an equivalent test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and progressively lowering it to pinpoint the ideal setting for your residence. On pleasant nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than using the air conditioner.

More Ways to Save Energy During Hot Weather

There are additional ways you can spend less money on utility bills throughout the summer.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your house more comfortable while keeping electricity costs small.
  2. Set yearly air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and may help it work at better efficiency. It could also help prolong its life cycle, since it allows techs to uncover seemingly insignificant troubles before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too frequently, and raise your cooling.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort problems in your home, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air in its place by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air inside.

Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with Just Right Heating and Cooling

If you are looking to conserve more energy this summer, our Just Right Heating and Cooling pros can assist you. Reach us at 513-935-3804 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.