You shouldn’t have to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a pleasant temperature during the summer.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We go over recommendations from energy pros so you can select the best temperature for your home.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and outdoor temps, your cooling bills will be greater.

This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds too high, there are approaches you can keep your home refreshing without having the air conditioner going all the time.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—within your home. Some window solutions, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide more insulation and improved energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without giving up comfort. That’s because they refresh with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too uncomfortable at first glance, try conducting a trial for approximately a week. Begin by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively decrease it while following the tips above. You might be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning working all day while your home is empty. Switching the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity bills, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t productive and often leads to a more expensive electrical expense.

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

If you’re looking for a handy remedy, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that may be unbearable for most families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cool, due to your clothing and blanket preference.

We suggest running an equivalent test over a week, putting your temperature higher and gradually decreasing it to locate the ideal setting for your house. On pleasant nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better idea than using the air conditioning.

More Ways to Save Energy This Summer

There are added approaches you can conserve money on cooling bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping electricity bills small.
  2. Set regular air conditioner service. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit running properly and may help it operate more efficiently. It can also help extend its life span, since it allows professionals to find seemingly insignificant issues before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too much, and raise your electricity.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to huge comfort problems in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by plugging cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air inside.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Woody's Sudden Service

If you need to save more energy during hot weather, our Woody's Sudden Service experts can assist you. Get in touch with us at 703-291-0095 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling products.