You shouldn’t have to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at a pleasant temp during the summer.

But what is the best temp, exactly? We review advice from energy professionals so you can find the best temp for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a major difference between your inside and outdoor temps, your utility 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 appears too high, there are methods you can keep your home cool without having the air conditioner running frequently.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to deliver added insulation and better energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too hot on the surface, try conducting an experiment for about a week. Get started by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively decrease it while following the ideas above. You may be amazed at how cool you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the AC on all day while your residence is unoccupied. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your cooling costs, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t useful and usually leads to a more expensive electricity bill.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temp in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to move the set temperature when you go.

If you need a handy solution, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cool, based on your clothing and blanket preference.

We advise running an equivalent test over a week, putting your temperature higher and gradually lowering it to pick the ideal setting for your family. On mild nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better solution than running the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather

There are added ways you can save money on energy bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Install an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your house more comfortable while keeping AC costs small.
  2. Schedule regular air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running smoothly and might help it operate at better efficiency. It may also help prolong its life expectancy, since it helps technicians to find small issues before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters often. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too much, and raise your utility.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to huge comfort problems in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air inside.

Conserve More Energy This Summer with Northern Comfort Inc

If you need to save more energy during warm weather, our Northern Comfort Inc specialists can help. Give us a call at 507-387-6596 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling options.