Summer is a time for BBQs, pool parties, and days spent lounging in the sun. It’s also a time for sweltering hot nights and hotter days. Keeping your home comfortable during the summer season is important, but how do you do so without breaking the bank?
Here, we’ll talk about the optimal temperature for your thermostat throughout the summer. We’ll also dive into some tips to stay cool without spending more on AC. Here’s what you need to know about AC in the summer.
The Best AC Temperature During the Day
While everybody has their own ideal temperature for comfort purposes, the U.S. Department of Energy suggests the optimal thermostat level for AC is 78°F. This keeps your home cool without increasing your energy bill by leaps and bounds. It’s common for many homes to have their AC set much lower, but it does come with the trade off of higher utility bills.
The Best AC Temperature During the Night
At night, most people prefer the room to be slightly cooler. Setting the thermostat to 68°F or 70°F should accomplish this. If you get cold at night, you can do the opposite and turn the thermostat up at about 4°F to 82°F.
Ideal Temperature Without Paying Extra
Now that we know the ideal setting, let’s talk about maintaining that ideal summer temperature and maximizing comfort without paying extra.
Don’t Max Out AC on Cool Days
Some days in the summer are cooler than others, and there are also peak cool hours throughout the day. When the sun goes down in the evening, for example, the temperature drops naturally. Take advantage of this and change your thermostat slightly higher to give your AC a break.
Turn Down When Out of the House
Summer is the peak season for beach days, family vacations, hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. Many people spend these months out of their houses enjoying the beautiful weather. If you fall into this category, you can take advantage of your outing by turning down the AC.
Evidence suggests that turning AC up and down frequently can increase your energy bill rather than reduce it. This is because it takes time for the overall temperature to change in the house, and your HVAC system responds accordingly. So, running to the grocery store for 10 minutes isn’t a great time to change the cool setting. Heading out for a day on the coast, however, is a perfect time to turn down the AC.
Using Other Cooling Elements
Apart from air conditioning, you can run other cooling devices in your home to help stay cool. Ceiling fans are a good way to move the cool air from your AC unit around your home. Compared to a room without air movement, you’ll feel cooler.
You can also decrease the natural temperature in your home by blocking out the sun. Just as you can warm your home in the winter by letting natural light in through the shades and curtains, keeping curtains closed in the summer blocks this natural heat source.
Set it And Forget It
If you can bring yourself to do so, setting your thermostat in the morning and forgetting about it retains optimum temperature and saves you money. Don’t touch the thermostat until bedtime (or if you’re heading out for a long-term outing).
Switch Off
The laws of physics dictate that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. And for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. What this means in simple terms is that when we use any type of electrical appliance in our home, the energy we use escapes as heat. The coils on the back of your refrigerator give off heat, your laptop expels heat, and even small appliances you’re not using can give off small amounts of heat.
When you’re not using them (apart from your fridge, which is more than likely always in use), consider switching off and unplugging them. The fewer lights and electrical appliances you have on in your home, the lower the natural temperature becomes.
Contact MasterTech Plumbing, Heating and Cooling to Learn More
Interested in learning more about the best temperature for your home in the summer? Contact MasterTech Plumbing, Heating and Cooling today. We serve families across Columbia and throughout mid-Missouri.Â
