Whats the Most Energy-Efficient AC Setting?

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at a pleasant temp during the summer.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We go over ideas from energy pros so you can select the best temp for your home.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and exterior temperatures, your cooling costs will be higher.

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

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

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window coverings, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to give extra insulation and enhanced energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s because they cool with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm at first glance, try running a trial for about a week. Begin by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively turn it down while adhering to the tips above. You might be shocked at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC working all day while your home is unoccupied. Turning the setting 7¬¬–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your air conditioning bills, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t useful and typically results in a more expensive electricity bills.

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

If you need a handy remedy, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of getting 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 suggests 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for many families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that may be too chilly, due to your PJ and blanket preference.

We advise trying an equivalent test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and progressively lowering it to select the best temperature for your residence. On mild nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior idea than running the air conditioner.

More Methods to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are other methods you can save money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.

1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling 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 home cooler while keeping cooling
costs small.
2. Book yearly air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating properly and might help it run at better efficiency. It could also help prolong its life cycle, since it enables technicians to discover little problems before they lead to a big meltdown.
3. Replace air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too much, and increase your cooling
costs.
4. Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has separated as it’s aged can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort issues in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air inside.

Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with CNR Air Conditioning Inc

If you need to save more energy during warm weather, our CNR Air Conditioning Inc pros can assist you. Get in touch with us at 239-241-5318 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling options.