You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a refreshing temp during muggy weather.

But what is the best setting, exactly? We review ideas from energy experts 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 Kankakee.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your indoor and outside temps, your cooling expenses will be bigger.

These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears hot, there are ways you can keep your house pleasant without having the AC running all the time.

Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver added insulation and enhanced energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they freshen through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too warm on the surface, try conducting a test for approximately a week. Begin by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily lower it while adhering to the advice above. You may be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner on all day while your residence is unoccupied. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling costs, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t effective and usually results in a higher cooling bill.

A programmable thermostat is a useful way to keep your settings in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to increase the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a convenient resolution, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for many families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cool, based on your PJ and blanket preference.

We suggest running a comparable test over a week, setting your temp higher and progressively lowering it to select the best temp for your family. On mild nights, you might discover keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior idea than using the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather

There are additional approaches you can spend less money on air conditioning bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping electrical bills low.
  2. Set annual air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating properly and could help it operate more efficiently. It may also help lengthen its life span, since it allows pros to find small problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too often, and increase your electrical.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 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 conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort issues in your home, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air inside.

Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating

If you want to use less energy during hot weather, our Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating specialists can provide assistance. Give us a call at 815-933-8213 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling products.