You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a pleasant setting during hot days.

But what is the best temp, exactly? We go over ideas from energy experts so you can determine the best setting for your house.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your inside and outside warmth, 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 appears too high, there are approaches you can keep your home cool without having the AC going constantly.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps chilled air where it belongs—within your home. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to deliver more insulation and enhanced energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s since they cool with a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too hot on the surface, try running an experiment for approximately a week. Start by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily decrease it while using the tips above. You could be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner working all day while your home is unoccupied. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical costs, 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 usually results in a more expensive cooling expense.

A programmable thermostat is a useful way to keep your temperature in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you run the risk of forgetting to raise the set temperature when you take off.

If you’re looking for a handy solution, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it is aware when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively modifies temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and change temperature settings from almost anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that might be unbearable for most families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 65–68 degrees. But that might be too chilly, based on your PJ and blanket preference.

We advise following a similar test over a week, moving your temp higher and steadily decreasing it to determine the ideal temp for your residence. On mild nights, you may find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better solution than using the AC.

More Ways to Conserve Energy During Hot Weather

There are other methods you can conserve money on AC bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they get older. A new air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping utility costs low.
  2. Schedule regular air conditioner tune-ups. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it run more efficiently. It may also help prolong its life expectancy, since it enables technicians to uncover small problems before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Switch air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dusty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too often, and drive up your electricity.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of houses in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in big comfort troubles in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep warm air where it belongs by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cool air inside.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Lakeside Heating & Air

If you need to save more energy during hot weather, our Lakeside Heating & Air professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 509-300-1829 or contact us online for extra info about our energy-saving cooling options.