You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a refreshing setting during warm days.

But what is the best setting, exactly? We review recommendations from energy pros so you can choose the best setting for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your interior and outside temperatures, your cooling bills will be larger.

These are our recommendations 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 residence pleasant without having the air conditioner on constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to offer more insulation and better energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temps about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm at first glance, try running a test for approximately a week. Begin by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, gradually turn it down while adhering to the suggestions above. You could be astonished at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC working all day while your residence is vacant. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical costs, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat under 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t productive and usually results in a bigger air conditioner cost.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your settings in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you go.

If you’re looking for a handy solution, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for many families. Many people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, based on your clothing and blanket preference.

We suggest using a comparable test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and slowly decreasing it to locate the right temperature for your residence. On pleasant nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better idea than using the air conditioning.

More Methods to Save Energy During Hot Weather

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

  1. Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping cooling costs down.
  2. Schedule regular air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working properly and may help it run more efficiently. It could also help prolong its life span, since it helps professionals to find seemingly insignificant issues before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too much, and drive up your energy.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can let cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort problems in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by sealing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air inside.

Conserve More Energy This Summer with Paniccia Heating & Cooling

If you need to save more energy during hot weather, our Paniccia Heating & Cooling experts can assist you. Give us a call at 219-872-2198 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling products.