You shouldn’t need to give up comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a refreshing temp during warm days.

But what is the right temp, exactly? We go over ideas from energy specialists so you can select the best setting for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your interior and exterior temperatures, your electricity expenses will be larger.

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 ways you can keep your home refreshing without having the air conditioning running all the time.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—indoors. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide more insulation and improved energy savings.

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

If 78 degrees still seems too hot on the surface, try running a trial for about a week. Start by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, progressively turn it down while using the suggestions 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 conditioner working all day while your home is unoccupied. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical costs, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t effective and typically results in a bigger electrical bill.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your settings under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to raise the set temperature when you go.

If you want a handy solution, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your house and when you’re out. Then it automatically changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Typically $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 regulate temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for the majority of families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cold, due to your pajama and blanket preference.

We recommend trying an equivalent test over a week, putting your temperature higher and gradually turning it down to select the best temperature for your family. On pleasant nights, you might learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior solution than using the AC.

More Ways to Use Less Energy This Summer

There are additional methods you can save money on energy bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping energy bills down.
  2. Book annual air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment working smoothly and could help it work more efficiently. It may also help prolong its life expectancy, since it enables technicians to find seemingly insignificant problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too much, and raise your electrical.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the United States don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by plugging cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cold air indoors.

Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Anderson Heating & A/C

If you need to use less energy during warm weather, our Anderson Heating & A/C pros can help. Get in touch with us at 775-230-7628 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling options.