You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or spend a lot to keep your residence at a pleasant setting during warm days.

But what is the right temperature, exactly? We go over advice from energy pros so you can select the best temp for your house.

Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Crystal and Twin Cities.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a huge difference between your inside and exterior temperatures, your cooling bills will be bigger.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems too high, there are ways you can keep your residence pleasant without having the air conditioning on frequently.

Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—within your home. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide added insulation and better energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm at first glance, try doing a trial for about a week. Get started by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively lower it while using the advice above. You could be astonished at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner going all day while your house is vacant. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity bills, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your home more rapidly. This isn’t effective and typically leads to a bigger air conditioner expense.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your temperature under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you run the risk of forgetting to change the set temperature when you go.

If you’re looking for a convenient resolution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from just about anywhere.

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

We suggest using an equivalent test over a week, putting your temp higher and slowly decreasing it to determine the ideal setting for your family. On pleasant nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better idea than operating the air conditioning.

More Ways to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are other methods you can save money on utility bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your home more comfortable while keeping cooling bills small.
  2. Book regular air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working smoothly and may help it operate at better efficiency. It can also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it allows pros to uncover seemingly insignificant problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too much, and raise your utility.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has come apart over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort problems in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it should be by closing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cool air within your home.

Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with GV Heating & Air

If you need to use less energy during warm weather, our GV Heating & Air professionals can provide assistance. Get in touch with us at 763-535-2000 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.