You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at the right setting during muggy weather.

But what is the right temperature, exactly? We discuss advice from energy pros so you can choose the best setting for your loved ones.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a huge difference between your interior and outdoor temperatures, your electricity expenses will be greater.

This is our advice 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 going frequently.

Keeping windows and window treatments down during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide added insulation and enhanced energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without compromising comfort. That’s because they cool through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too warm on the surface, try doing a trial for approximately a week. Get started by raising your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually decrease it while following the advice above. You might be surprised at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioning running all day while your home is unoccupied. Moving the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electrical costs, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home more quickly. This isn’t effective and usually leads to a bigger AC bill.

A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your settings in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to change the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a convenient solution, think about buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your house and when you’re away. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could 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 recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, based on your PJ and blanket preference.

We advise running a comparable test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and slowly decreasing it to pick the right setting for your house. On mild nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable option than using the AC.

More Ways to Save Energy This Summer

There are extra ways you can conserve money on AC bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Install an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping AC bills low.
  2. Schedule regular air conditioner tune-ups. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and may help it work at greater efficiency. It might also help prolong its life expectancy, since it enables professionals to spot small problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too frequently, and drive up your electrical.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of homes in the U.S. 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 checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create major comfort problems in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more cool air within your home.

Conserve More Energy This Summer with Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.

If you want to conserve more energy during warm weather, our Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. specialists can assist you. Give us a call at 270-358-3167 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling products.