You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at the right temperature during summer weather.

But what is the best temperature, exactly? We discuss suggestions from energy specialists so you can determine the best temp for your residence.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a huge difference between your indoor and outside temperatures, your electricity bills will be higher.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears warm, there are ways you can keep your home refreshing without having the air conditioning going all the time.

Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide extra insulation and improved energy efficiency.

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

If 78 degrees still feels too warm initially, try doing a trial for about a week. Get started by increasing your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily lower it while following the tips above. You may be shocked at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning on all day while your house is vacant. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees higher can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electricity costs, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence faster. This isn’t effective and typically results in a more expensive AC cost.

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

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

Another perk of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that might be too uncomfortable for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area 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 recommend running a comparable test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and steadily lowering it to find the ideal temp for your family. On pleasant nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior solution than running the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather

There are additional ways you can conserve money on energy bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping AC costs down.
  2. Schedule annual air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating smoothly and could help it run more efficiently. It might also help prolong its life span, since it enables professionals to find seemingly insignificant problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and increase your electrical.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort troubles in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cool air inside.

Conserve More Energy This Summer with Woody's Sudden Service

If you are looking to conserve more energy this summer, our Woody's Sudden Service pros can provide assistance. Reach us at 703-278-2036 or contact us online for additional details about our energy-saving cooling options.