You shouldn’t need to compromise on comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at the right setting during hot days.
But what is the right temperature, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy pros so you can find the best temperature for your house.
Here’s what we recommend for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Omaha.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and outside temperatures, your electrical bills will be bigger.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems hot, there are approaches you can keep your home refreshing without having the air conditioner on frequently.
Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cool air where it should be—within your home. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver more insulation and improved energy conservation.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they refresh through a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too hot on the surface, try running a trial for about a week. Start by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, gradually turn it down while following the ideas above. You may be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning running all day while your house is unoccupied. Moving the temperature 7¬¬–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical costs, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t effective and typically results in a bigger cooling expense.
A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your temperature under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to increase the set temperature when you go.
If you need a hassle-free remedy, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be unbearable for many families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that could be too chilly, depending on your clothing and blanket preference.
We suggest running an equivalent test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and slowly decreasing it to pick the ideal temp for your residence. On pleasant nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a preferable option than running the air conditioner.
More Ways to Conserve Energy This Summer
There are added ways you can conserve money on AC bills throughout warm weather.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping electrical
costs down. - Book regular AC maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running properly and could help it operate at better efficiency. It can also help extend its life cycle, since it enables techs to find small problems before they create a major meltdown.
- Switch air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or run too often, and raise your utility
expenses. - Measure attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has loosened over the years can seep cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort troubles in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air indoors.
Save More Energy This Summer with Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning
If you are looking to save more energy during hot weather, our Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning professionals can provide assistance. Reach us at 402-509-5940 or contact us online for more info about our energy-conserving cooling options.