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

But what is the best setting, exactly? We discuss advice from energy experts so you can determine the best setting for your residence.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your inside and outside temperatures, your electricity bills will be higher.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems hot, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioner running constantly.

Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—within your home. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are made to provide extra insulation and enhanced energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen through a windchill effect. As they cool people, not rooms, shut them off when you move from a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too warm on the surface, try conducting a test for a week or so. Get started by increasing your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, steadily decrease it while using the ideas above. You may be shocked at how refreshed you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the air conditioner running all day while your home is unoccupied. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees warmer can save you as much as 5–15% on your electrical expenses, according to the DOE.

When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your house more rapidly. This isn’t effective and often leads to a more expensive electricity cost.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your temperature controlled, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to increase the set temperature when you take off.

If you want a handy fix, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it instinctively adjusts temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 each year on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another benefit of installing 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 suggests 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for many families. Many people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too chilly, based on your clothing and blanket preference.

We recommend using a similar test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and gradually lowering it to pinpoint the best temp for your family. On cool nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior solution than operating the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Hot Weather

There are additional methods you can spend less money on AC bills throughout hot weather.

  1. Install an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and lose efficiency as they get older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence cooler while keeping utility expenses low.
  2. Set yearly air conditioner maintenance. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running like it should and may help it run more efficiently. It could also help lengthen its life cycle, since it enables professionals to pinpoint seemingly insignificant issues before they lead to a major meltdown.
  3. Put in new air filters regularly. Follow manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too much, and increase your energy.
  4. Inspect attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the United States don’t have enough 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 loosened over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort troubles in your house, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by closing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air inside.

Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning

If you need to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning experts can help. Give us a call at 405-494-7444 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling options.