You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a refreshing temperature during the summer.

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

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outdoor temperatures, your AC bills will be higher.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears warm, there are methods you can keep your house pleasant without having the air conditioner on constantly.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window treatments, like 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 increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s because they freshen with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm initially, try doing a test for about a week. Begin by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily lower it while using the suggestions above. You might be amazed at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

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

When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t effective and often leads to a bigger cooling bill.

A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your settings in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a handy remedy, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your house and when you’re away. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and change temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

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

We recommend running a similar test over a week, putting your temperature higher and gradually decreasing it to pinpoint the best temp for your residence. On pleasant nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a superior option than using the AC.

More Ways to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather

There are added ways you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home cooler while keeping AC costs small.
  2. Book annual air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it work at better efficiency. It could also help lengthen its life span, since it enables professionals to pinpoint little troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters often. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too much, and increase your electricity.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of residences in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort troubles in your home, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air within your home.

Save More Energy This Summer with Fire & Ice HVAC

If you need to use less energy during warm weather, our Fire & Ice HVAC experts can assist you. Reach us at 703-595-4157 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.