You shouldn’t have to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at a refreshing temp during hot days.

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

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your indoor and outdoor temps, your electrical 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 hot, there are approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioner on constantly.

Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—indoors. Some window coverings, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer added insulation and enhanced energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s because they refresh with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm at first glance, try doing an experiment for a week or so. Start by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, progressively turn it down while using the tips above. You could be shocked at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC running all day while your house is unoccupied. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t productive and often results in a higher air conditioner bill.

A programmable thermostat is a good method to keep your temperature controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you take off.

If you want a convenient resolution, think over installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

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

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

We suggest following a comparable test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and gradually decreasing it to select the best temp for your residence. On cool nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better solution than running the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather

There are extra approaches you can save money on utility bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping energy bills down.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner service. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating smoothly and could help it operate at greater efficiency. It can also help extend its life expectancy, since it helps techs to uncover seemingly insignificant issues before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or switch on and off too much, and increase your utility.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create huge comfort problems in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it should be by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air indoors.

Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with GV Heating & Air

If you are looking to conserve more energy during warm weather, our GV Heating & Air specialists can help. Get in touch with us at 763-535-2000 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling products.