You shouldn’t be forced to give up comfort or spend a lot to keep your home at a refreshing temperature during hot days.

But what is the ideal temp, exactly? We go over recommendations from energy professionals so you can determine the best setting for your loved ones.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a major difference between your indoor and outside warmth, your utility expenses will be bigger.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that sounds warm, there are approaches you can keep your home cool without having the air conditioning on all the time.

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

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temps about 4 degrees hotter without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen through a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too hot at first glance, try conducting a trial for approximately a week. Start by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively turn it down while following the advice above. You may be amazed at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner working all day while your home is vacant. Moving the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your electrical costs, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t effective and often produces a higher air conditioner cost.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your settings under control, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you take off.

If you need a handy resolution, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re away. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? About $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

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

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for most families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, due to your PJ and blanket preference.

We recommend following a similar test over a week, setting your temp higher and progressively turning it down to pick the right temperature for your family. On mild nights, you could discover keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a better solution than operating the AC.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy During Warm Weather

There are other ways you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout the summer.

  1. Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping electrical bills small.
  2. Set regular air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit operating properly and may help it operate at better efficiency. It might also help extend its life expectancy, since it helps pros to discover seemingly insignificant issues before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too much, and raise your cooling.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has separated over time can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to huge comfort problems in your residence, including hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to seal more conditioned air indoors.

Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with The Chilly Pig

If you are looking to use less energy during warm weather, our The Chilly Pig specialists can assist you. Give us a call at 321-205-1234 or contact us online for more info about our energy-saving cooling options.