You shouldn’t be forced to compromise on comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at a refreshing temperature during summer weather.
But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We review suggestions from energy experts so you can choose the best setting for your home.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Portland.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most households find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your inside and exterior warmth, your cooling expenses will be bigger.
These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears warm, there are approaches you can keep your residence cool without having the air conditioner on all the time.
Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cool air where it belongs—inside. Some window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide added insulation and better energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your home, the DOE says you can move thermostat settings about 4 degrees hotter without compromising comfort. That’s since they refresh with a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not rooms, switch them off when you exit a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable initially, try conducting a test for approximately a week. Begin by upping your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home. Then, gradually turn it down while using the tips above. You may be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no reason to keep the air conditioner going all day while your home is empty. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you as much as 5–15% on your AC costs, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t effective and usually results in a higher air conditioner cost.
A programmable thermostat is a useful way to keep your temp under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t utilize programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you leave.
If you want a hassle-free resolution, think over buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it intuitively changes temperature settings for the best savings. How much exactly? Typically $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of install