You shouldn’t need to compromise on comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant setting during the summer.

But what is the right temp, exactly? We review ideas from energy professionals so you can select the best temperature for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your inside and outside temps, your AC expenses 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 seems hot, there are ways you can keep your home pleasant without having the AC on constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cold air where it should be—within your home. Some window coverings, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to deliver added insulation and enhanced energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s because they freshen with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm initially, try running a trial for about a week. Get started by increasing your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily decrease it while adhering to the suggestions above. You may be astonished at how cool you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC on all day while your residence is unoccupied. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your air conditioning expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t productive and often leads to a higher AC cost.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temperature in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you go.

If you need a handy remedy, consider getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another perk of having 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 advises 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 65–68 degrees. But that could be too chilly, due to your PJ and blanket preference.

We suggest trying a comparable test over a week, moving your temp higher and gradually decreasing it to pinpoint the ideal temp for your house. On cool nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than running the air conditioner.

More Ways to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are additional methods you can save money on air conditioning bills throughout the summer.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence cooler while keeping electricity costs low.
  2. Set annual air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating smoothly and might help it work at better efficiency. It might also help lengthen its life cycle, since it allows techs to pinpoint small issues before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too often, and increase your cooling.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort issues in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air in its place by plugging cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more conditioned air inside.

Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc

If you are looking to save more energy this summer, our Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc professionals can provide assistance. Get in touch with us at 715-564-8958 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling products.