You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a refreshing temp during the summer.

But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We review suggestions from energy specialists so you can choose the best temperature for your loved ones.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outdoor temperatures, your electricity costs 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 seems hot, there are methods you can keep your home refreshing without having the AC going all the time.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps chilled air where it should be—indoors. Some window coverings, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to deliver more insulation and enhanced energy savings.

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

If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable on the surface, try conducting a trial for approximately a week. Get started by increasing your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively lower it 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 AC working all day while your home is unoccupied. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you as much as 5–15% on your AC bills, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t effective and often produces a higher electrical cost.

A programmable thermostat is a good way to keep your settings under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you go.

If you want a hassle-free remedy, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? An estimated $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 almost anywhere.

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

We recommend using a comparable test over a week, setting your temperature higher and progressively lowering it to locate the best temperature for your family. On cool nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior idea than using the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather

There are extra methods you can spend less money on energy bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping AC bills low.
  2. Schedule yearly air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it run more efficiently. It may also help lengthen its life span, since it enables pros to pinpoint little problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too much, and increase your electricity.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air in its place by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air indoors.

Use Less Energy During Warm Weather with Everest Heating & Cooling

If you want to use less energy during hot weather, our Everest Heating & Cooling specialists can help. Reach us at 913-845-9463 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.