You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at the right temperature during warm days.

But what is the ideal setting, exactly? We review suggestions from energy pros so you can choose the best setting for your residence.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and outside warmth, your cooling costs 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 residence cool without having the air conditioning on frequently.

Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—inside. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to deliver more insulation and better energy savings.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees hotter without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too warm at first glance, try conducting an experiment for a week or so. Start by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually lower it while using the advice above. You may be shocked at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning running all day while your residence is empty. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your AC expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat below 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t useful and typically results in a bigger electricity cost.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your temp under control, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you risk forgetting to move the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a handy solution, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? About $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

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

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 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 could be too cold, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.

We suggest following an equivalent test over a week, setting your temp higher and gradually turning it down to pick the best temp for your house. On pleasant nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a preferable idea than operating the air conditioning.

More Methods to Save Energy During Hot Weather

There are additional methods you can conserve money on air conditioning bills throughout the summer.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your house comfier while keeping electricity expenses low.
  2. Book yearly air conditioner tune-ups. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating smoothly and might help it run at better efficiency. It may also help lengthen its life span, since it helps techs to find small issues before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or run too often, and raise your electrical.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of 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 leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to huge comfort troubles in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air in its place by plugging holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air indoors.

Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Select Comfort Systems

If you need to save more energy this summer, our Select Comfort Systems specialists can provide assistance. Give us a call at 801-305-4777 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling products.