You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or spend a lot to keep your house at the right temperature during summer weather.

But what is the right temp, exactly? We review advice from energy pros so you can select the best temperature for your family.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a major difference between your indoor and exterior temperatures, your electrical bills will be bigger.

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 on constantly.

Keeping windows and curtains closed during the day keeps cold air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide extra insulation and better energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can increase thermostat temps about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s because they refresh by a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not rooms, turn them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too uncomfortable initially, try conducting an experiment for about a week. Begin by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively turn it down while adhering to the ideas above. You might be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner going all day while your home is empty. Turning the setting 7–10 degrees higher can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your cooling costs, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your residence more rapidly. This isn’t productive and usually produces a more expensive air conditioner cost.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful 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 go.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free remedy, think about getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re out. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of installing a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and change temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for most families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cold, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.

We recommend running a similar test over a week, moving your temperature higher and steadily lowering it to locate the best temp for your residence. On mild nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better idea than using the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather

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

  1. Get an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they age. A new air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping cooling costs low.
  2. Book annual air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating smoothly and could help it operate at better efficiency. It can also help extend its life span, since it helps techs to pinpoint small problems before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters regularly. Read manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or turn on and off too much, and increase your energy.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of homes in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 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 create major comfort problems in your house, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air within your home.

Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Bell Mechanical Services

If you are looking to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Bell Mechanical Services pros can assist you. Give us a call at 888-863-0560 or contact us online for more information about our energy-saving cooling products.