Summer has arrived, and so has the heat! This means it’s your AC’s time to shine! It also means your AC will run nonstop this season in order to combat the summer heat and keep your home cooled. And you may end up with unseemly high energy bills. Unfortunately, that can’t be avoided since your AC must be run regardless. What you can do, though, is to try to set your AC at a more energy-efficient temperature. So, join Eastland Heating & Cooling as we walk you through a few variables to find your perfect temperature and “sweet spot” for a more energy-efficient AC setting.
WHAT SHOULD YOU SET YOUR AC TEMPERATURE TO?
The US Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78° during the summer for energy savings. However, keep in mind that this temperature may not be the best fit for everyone, and individual preferences should also be considered. We suggest that you may need to experiment a bit to discover the most effective method to keep yourself and your whole household cool whilst saving energy this season.
HOW CAN YOU FIND YOUR PERFECT AC TEMPERATURE?
To determine your ideal temperature, it’s best to try out different temperatures that work best for your home. However, a good starting point is to try the suggested temperature of 78°F first. Set your thermostat to this temperature for a few hours to see how it feels. You should have enough time to assess whether your household members are comfortable with this temperature range. After that, you can make minor adjustments to the temperature, increasing or decreasing it by one or two degrees at a time over the next few days based on their reactions. One thing to note is that according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the typical temperature range for most homes is from 73°F to 79°F. Therefore, when adjusting your thermostat, keep in mind that the lower you set the temperature, the more your energy bill may increase.
HOW ABOUT SETTING YOUR THERMOSTAT TO A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE WHEN YOU’RE AWAY?
What should you set your thermostat to when you’re on a summer vacation or trip? Great question! Naturally, you will want to conserve energy when you are away and your home is empty. Since nobody is home to enjoy the cool air, it’s best to save energy by raising the temperature by about ten degrees higher than your normal AC setting. Keep in mind that you don’t want to set it too high to avoid damaging your household items, such as plants and collectibles with unnecessarily high heat and humidity levels.
DO SMART THERMOSTATS REALLY HELP?
Having a smart thermostat can help you save energy. Sometimes, you may forget to turn up the temperature before leaving before a trip – which is understandable. There are a lot of things to do before setting off for a vacation or weekend getaway. In case this happens, you can use your phone to adjust the thermostat setting with ease. On top of that, you can adjust the temperature of your thermostat to make your home comfortable for your return. Easy peasy! Convenience and energy conservation all by just using a smart thermostat? Plus, they are fairly priced! So, if you are interested in having one, feel free to call us, and we’d be happy to discuss the details of installation.
You can save on energy costs while staying cool this summer by finding the optimal temperature for your home through just a bit of trial and error. Have any more questions? Give Eastland Heating & Cooling a call today at (614) 861-5203, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
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