You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at the right temp during muggy weather.

But what is the right temp, exactly? We review recommendations from energy pros so you can find the best temperature for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your inside and exterior temps, 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 too high, there are methods you can keep your residence pleasant without having the AC on constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cold air where it should be—indoors. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide added insulation and improved energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s because they cool through a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too hot initially, try conducting an experiment for approximately a week. Get started by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily decrease it while following the suggestions above. You might be surprised at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

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

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat under 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t effective and usually produces a more expensive air conditioner expense.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your settings controlled, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to change the set temperature when you leave.

If you’re looking for a handy fix, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your residence and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and change temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for most families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.

We advise using a comparable test over a week, putting your temp higher and progressively turning it down to choose the right temp for your residence. On pleasant nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than operating the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather

There are added ways you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout the summer.

  1. Get an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house comfier while keeping electrical bills down.
  2. Book regular air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating like it should and could help it work at greater efficiency. It can also help extend its life cycle, since it enables professionals to find seemingly insignificant problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters often. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and increase your electricity.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort problems in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by plugging cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air within your home.

Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Lanz Furnace and Fireplace

If you want to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Lanz Furnace and Fireplace experts can help. Reach us at 608-291-3606 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.