You shouldn’t need to compromise on comfort or empty your wallet to keep your residence at the right temperature during warm days.

But what is the right temperature, exactly? We go over advice from energy pros so you can choose the best setting for your residence.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outside temperatures, your cooling costs will be larger.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears warm, there are methods you can keep your house cool without having the air conditioning going constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps chilled air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window coverings, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide more insulation and improved energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen through a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, shut them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too hot on the surface, try running an experiment for about a week. Begin by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily lower it while using the suggestions above. You could be astonished at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the AC working all day while your home is vacant. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees warmer can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical bills, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t productive and often produces a higher AC cost.

A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your temp under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free remedy, think about 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 intuitively modifies temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

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

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

We advise using a similar test over a week, moving your thermostat higher and steadily decreasing it to choose the best setting for your residence. On cool nights, you may discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better idea than using the AC.

More Methods to Use Less Energy During Hot Weather

There are extra ways you can spend less money on energy bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping utility bills small.
  2. Set annual air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running properly and may help it run at greater efficiency. It may also help prolong its life cycle, since it helps professionals to pinpoint little troubles before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dirty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and increase your energy.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the USA don’t have proper insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to big comfort issues in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by sealing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air indoors.

Conserve More Energy During Hot Weather with Bigfoot Mechanical

If you need to use less energy this summer, our Bigfoot Mechanical experts can help. Give us a call at 509-392-8770 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling options.