You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at a refreshing temp during warm days.
But what is the right temp, exactly? We review advice from energy pros so you can select the best temperature for your house.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Cedar Rapids.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outdoor temps, 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 seems warm, there are ways you can keep your home refreshing without having the air conditioning on constantly.
Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—indoors. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer added insulation and enhanced energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s because they refresh with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, shut them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too hot on the surface, try conducting an experiment for approximately a week. Start by increasing your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily turn it down while following the advice above. You might be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning going all day while your house is vacant. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity costs, according to the DOE.
When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t useful and usually produces a more expensive electrical bill.
A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temp in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to move the set temperature when you take off.
If you need a handy resolution, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of using 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. Many people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 65–68 degrees. But that could be too chilly, based on your clothing and blanket preference.
We suggest using an equivalent test over a week, moving your temp higher and progressively turning it down to find the best temp for your family. On mild nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior solution than using the air conditioning.
More Ways to Save Energy This Summer
There are extra methods you can save money on utility bills throughout the summer.
- Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping AC bills low.
- Book yearly air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating properly and might help it run at greater efficiency. It may also help extend its life expectancy, since it enables techs to find little issues before they create a major meltdown.
- Put in new air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too much, and increase your utility.
- Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort problems in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air indoors.
Save More Energy During Warm Weather with Ilten's
If you are looking to use less energy during hot weather, our Ilten's specialists can help. Get in touch with us at 319-343-5158 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling products.