You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant temp during summer weather.

But what is the right setting, exactly? We go over suggestions from energy experts so you can determine the best temp for your loved ones.

Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your inside and outdoor temperatures, your electrical bills will be higher.

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 methods you can keep your residence refreshing without having the AC on all the time.

Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—inside. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide more insulation and better energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s because they refresh by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable on the surface, try conducting an experiment for about a week. Get started by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily decrease it while using the advice above. You may be shocked at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC working all day while your house is unoccupied. Switching the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you an estimated 5–15% on your cooling expenses, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t useful and often results in a bigger air conditioner expense.

A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your temp in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you run the risk of forgetting to increase the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free fix, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and regulate temperature settings from just about anywhere.

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

We recommend following a comparable test over a week, setting your temperature higher and gradually lowering it to find the ideal temp for your house. On pleasant nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better option than operating the air conditioner.

More Methods to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather

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

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping cooling bills small.
  2. Schedule yearly air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running like it should and might help it operate more efficiently. It might also help extend its life expectancy, since it helps techs to find small problems before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters often. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too frequently, and increase your cooling.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many 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 seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort issues in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air within your home.

Use Less Energy This Summer with Air Concepts of Middle Georgia

If you need to save more energy during warm weather, our Air Concepts of Middle Georgia specialists can assist you. Give us a call at 478-200-5689 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling options.