You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or drain your wallet to keep your residence at the right temperature during warm days.

But what is the right temperature, exactly? We go over advice from energy pros so you can choose the best temp for your house.

Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Des Moines.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a major difference between your interior and outdoor temperatures, your utility costs 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 hot, there are methods you can keep your home pleasant without having the AC going all the time.

Keeping windows and window treatments closed during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—indoors. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to give extra insulation and improved energy savings.

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

If 78 degrees still appears too warm on the surface, try conducting a test for a week or so. Begin by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, progressively decrease it while following the ideas above. You may be amazed at how refreshed you feel at a warmer temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner going all day while your residence is unoccupied. Switching the temperature 7–10 degrees hotter can save you anywhere from 5–15% on your AC bills, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t effective and often leads to a bigger electricity expense.

A programmable thermostat is a helpful method to keep your temp controlled, but you need to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to change the set temperature when you leave.

If you want a handy resolution, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and change temperature settings from just about anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that might be unpleasant for most families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, due to your pajama and blanket preference.

We recommend running a comparable test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and steadily turning it down to pick the best setting for your family. On pleasant nights, you may learn keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior idea than operating the AC.

More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather

There are additional methods you can save money on cooling bills throughout warm weather.

  1. Install an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they age. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping AC bills small.
  2. Schedule annual air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system operating properly and could help it run more efficiently. It may also help extend its life span, since it enables techs to spot small troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
  3. Replace air filters often. Follow manufacturer instructions for switching your air filter. A dirty filter can cause your system to short cycle, or switch on and off too much, and drive up your utility.
  4. Check attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the USA don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Many southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates need 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has loosened over time can leak cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in major comfort problems in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep hot air in its place by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air inside.

Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Heartland Heating & Cooling

If you need to save more energy during hot weather, our Heartland Heating & Cooling specialists can help. Give us a call at 515-344-3579 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling products.