You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your home at the right temp during summer weather.

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

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your inside and outside warmth, your utility bills will be higher.

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

While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems too high, there are approaches you can keep your residence pleasant without having the air conditioning running all the time.

Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—inside. Some window coverings, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to give more insulation and improved energy efficiency.

If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen by a windchill effect. Since they cool people, not areas, turn them off when you leave a room.

If 78 degrees still feels too hot at first glance, try running a test for about a week. Begin by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively turn it down while adhering to the advice above. You may be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner on all day while your house is vacant. Turning the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your electricity bills, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to switch your thermostat under 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t useful and often leads to a more expensive cooling bill.

A programmable thermostat is a useful approach to keep your temp in check, but you need to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to raise the set temperature when you go.

If you want a hassle-free fix, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

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

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that could be unpleasant for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping space is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that may be too cool, due to your clothing and blanket preference.

We suggest following an equivalent test over a week, putting your temp higher and gradually decreasing it to select the ideal temperature for your residence. On pleasant nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a superior idea than operating the air conditioner.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Hot Weather

There are added methods you can spend less money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Get an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house more comfortable while keeping cooling costs down.
  2. Set yearly air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment running smoothly and might help it run at better efficiency. It may also help prolong its life expectancy, since it allows techs to discover small problems 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 result in your system short cycling, or run too frequently, and drive up your cooling.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Almost 90% of houses in the USA don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of 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 let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can create big comfort issues in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by sealing openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air within your home.

Save More Energy During Warm Weather with US Air Heating and Cooling

If you need to conserve more energy this summer, our US Air Heating and Cooling pros can assist you. Get in touch with us at 803-220-0761 or contact us online for extra details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.