You shouldn’t need to compromise on comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at a refreshing temperature during muggy weather.

But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We discuss ideas from energy experts so you can select the best temp for your residence.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a huge difference between your indoor and outside warmth, your electrical bills will be greater.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems warm, there are ways you can keep your house cool without having the AC running frequently.

Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to offer more insulation and improved energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s since they cool through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too hot at first glance, try conducting an experiment for about a week. Start by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, progressively decrease it while adhering to the tips above. You may be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

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

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat under 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t productive and often leads to a bigger AC expense.

A programmable thermostat is a useful method to keep your temp under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you leave.

If you need a handy remedy, think over getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

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

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

We suggest following a similar test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and steadily turning it down to choose the best setting for your residence. On pleasant nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable solution than running the AC.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy This Summer

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

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they get older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping electricity costs down.
  2. Book regular air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system working properly and could help it work at greater efficiency. It might also help prolong its life span, since it allows technicians to uncover little troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too much, and raise your electrical.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can let 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 humid air in its place by sealing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air indoors.

Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Comfort Zone, LLC

If you want to save more energy during hot weather, our Comfort Zone, LLC pros can provide assistance. Give us a call at 239-214-0411 or contact us online for extra information about our energy-saving cooling options.