Can I Adjust My AC for More Energy Efficiency?

You shouldn’t be forced to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant temperature during muggy weather.

But what is the right temperature, exactly? We discuss advice from energy pros so you can find the best temp for your home.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most households find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your indoor and outside warmth, your cooling bills 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 sounds too high, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioning on constantly.

Keeping windows and blinds down during the day keeps cold air where it needs to be—inside. Some window solutions, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to give added insulation and enhanced energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can raise thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees higher without giving up comfort. That’s because they refresh through a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not areas, switch them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still seems too hot initially, try doing a test for a week or so. Start by raising your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily turn it down while using the advice above. You may be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a higher temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no rationale for keeping the AC working all day while your home is vacant. Switching the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity expenses, according to the DOE.

When you get home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat under 78 to cool your house faster. This isn’t useful and usually produces a more expensive cooling cost.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your settings under control, but you have to set programs. If you don’t set programs, you might forget to change the set temperature when you go.

If you’re looking for a convenient solution, consider buying a smart thermostat. This thermostat works with with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re out. Then it instinctively changes temperature settings for the biggest savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another plus of using a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to watch and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that could be too uncomfortable for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that may be too chilly, based on your clothing and blanket preference.

We recommend running a comparable test over a week, setting your temp higher and progressively decreasing it to choose the right temp for your family. On pleasant nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior solution than using the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Use Less Energy During Warm Weather

There are additional ways you can save money on air conditioning bills throughout warm weather.

1. Buy an energy-efficient AC system. Central air conditioners only are effective for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. An upgraded air conditioner can keep your house cooler while keeping AC bills small.
2. Schedule yearly air conditioner service. Regular air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running smoothly and might help it work more efficiently. It may also help lengthen its life expectancy, since it enables techs to pinpoint seemingly insignificant troubles before they cause a major meltdown.
3. Switch air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can lead to your system short cycling, or run too much, and increase your electrical.
4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of houses in the United States don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates should have 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
5. Have your ductwork inspected. Ductwork that has come apart over time can seep cool air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort troubles in your residence, such as hot and cold spots.
6. Seal openings, doors and windows. Keep muggy air in its place by closing holes. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cool air within your home.

Save More Energy During Hot Weather with Three Rivers Heating and Cooling

If you are looking to save more energy during warm weather, our Three Rivers Heating and Cooling professionals can provide assistance. Get in touch with us at (503) 739-5400 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling solutions.