You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant temperature during warm days.

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

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and outdoor warmth, your electrical costs will be bigger.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds warm, there are approaches you can keep your house cool without having the air conditioner running all the time.

Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—inside. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver extra insulation and better energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s since they cool with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too warm at first glance, try doing a trial for about a week. Begin by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually decrease it while following the advice above. You may be surprised at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC working all day while your house is vacant. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t useful and usually produces a more expensive air conditioner expense.

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

If you’re looking for a handy remedy, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links 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? Typically $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

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

We recommend following a similar test over a week, moving your temperature higher and gradually turning it down to find the best temperature for your residence. On mild nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior idea than running the air conditioning.

More Ways to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather

There are other approaches you can save money on utility bills throughout the summer.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. A new air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping energy expenses small.
  2. Schedule annual air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running like it should and might help it run at better efficiency. It can also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it allows pros to find little troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A clogged filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too much, and drive up your energy.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort troubles in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air indoors.

Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning

If you want to use less energy this summer, our Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning specialists can provide assistance. Get in touch with us at 402-509-5940 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling products.