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

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We discuss ideas from energy experts so you can determine the best setting for your home.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your inside and outside temperatures, your electricity bills will be larger.

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 methods you can keep your home pleasant without having the AC on all the time.

Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—inside. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide extra insulation and improved energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they cool with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm at first glance, try conducting a test for approximately a week. Get started by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, progressively lower it while using the tips above. You may be surprised at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning running all day while your home is vacant. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees higher can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling bills, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t productive and usually leads to a bigger cooling cost.

A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temp controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to increase the set temperature when you leave.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free resolution, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it automatically modifies temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change 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. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cool, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.

We recommend using a comparable test over a week, setting your temp higher and slowly lowering it to select the ideal temp for your residence. On pleasant nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior idea than running the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are other approaches you can conserve money on AC bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping cooling expenses down.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and may help it work at greater efficiency. It might also help extend its life span, since it helps techs to spot little troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters often. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too frequently, and drive up your cooling.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort issues in your house, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air within your home.

Use Less Energy This Summer with Ilten's

If you are looking to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Ilten's professionals can help. Reach us at 319-208-2351 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling products.