As the summer season progresses, our reliance on technology to keep our homes cool and comfortable increases, despite the hot weather outside. This means your air conditioning unit has likely been running continuously for a few weeks now, and you can expect it to do so for the rest of the summer. As a result, you may notice a rise in your energy bills due to the increased usage of your AC. But all is not lost! You can find a more energy-efficient AC temperature that will help you maintain a comfortable and cool home while still maintaining your energy usage at a manageable level. Join your Monroe Heating & Air professionals as we go over a few factors for pinpointing your energy-efficient AC temperature.
WHAT’S THE ADVISED ENERGY-EFFICIENT AC TEMPERATURE?
Bear in mind that there is no universal magic number that will work for everyone everywhere. What works for one household may not work for another. However, we can provide you with a general recommendation to help steer you in the right direction. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the most optimal temperature for air conditioning is 78°F (26°C). We know this may seem rather high; we get it. But remember, this is just a reference point. It may require a little experimenting on your part to find the energy-efficient temperature that works for your household.
WHAT IS THE WAY TO FIND YOUR PERSONAL ENERGY-EFFICIENT TEMPERATURE?
A great place to start is by setting your thermostat to 78°F, as recommended. After you have set your thermostat at this temperature, give your AC a few hours to adjust and observe your family’s response. You may be surprised to find that it is not as uncomfortable as it may sound. After several hours have passed, you can readjust the thermostat by one or two degrees at a time as needed. Accordingly, you should continue this process over the next couple of days until you find the perfect temperature that keeps your family cool and comfortable while saving energy.
WHAT IS THE MOST ENERGY-EFFICIENT TEMPERATURE TO USE FOR A TRIP?
Have a couple of trips planned this summer? No problem! To avoid heat and humidity damage to your home and belongings, turning off the air conditioner completely is not advisable. But you also don’t want your AC running full force with no one home? So, what do you do? You can increase the thermostat setting by 10 degrees from your regular AC temperature before you set off for your getaway. By doing this, you can save up to 5-15% on energy usage! Easy peasy!
WHAT IS THE MOST ENERGY-EFFICIENT THERMOSTAT?
Standard thermostats work well, and while there is nothing wrong with having and using one, smart thermostats are incredibly convenient and energy-efficient. Therefore, if you are pretty serious about your energy-saving goals and don’t have one already, we highly recommend considering having one installed. A smart thermostat can help you save energy by allowing you to create a pre-set temperature schedule based on your daily routine.
Still not sure? Imagine this scenario: you’re going on a fun family vacation but forgot to adjust your thermostat before leaving home. Unfortunately, you don’t realize your mistake until you are well on your way to your destination. (It happens to the best of us!) But remember that you can control your AC settings from your phone. You pick up your phone and – voila! Everything is once again corrected as it should be. This means you can enjoy now your vacation without worrying about the AC. As an extra layer of convenience, when you return home, you can also adjust the temperature to a cooler level so that you can relax as soon as you enter your house. So, if you have a busy summer coming up and you don’t have a smart thermostat yet, feel free to call us and ask any questions.
Maintaining a comfortable temperature while controlling your monthly energy usage might be challenging, but it is achievable. Call Monroe Heating & Air for all your energy-saving and cooling needs today at (513) 540-4890, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
