What is the Ideal House Temperature in the Summer?

June 18, 2021

Categories: Air Conditioning

It’s finally summer, which means long, hot days are ahead. Worried about racking up expensive energy bills from running your AC all summer long? Don’t fret, here are some tips to keep your house cool in the summer heat.

What’s the Best Temperature for Your Home in the Summer?

Although many recommend setting your thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer, there really is no magic number. The truth is, the smaller the difference between the outdoor temperature and your house temperature, the more efficiently you will be able to cool your home. Setting your thermostat at a temperature that eliminates humidity and keeps you and your family comfortable is key.

Setting Your Thermostat Efficiently

According to energy.gov, you can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling bill by setting your thermostat back 7 – 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day. Try setting your thermostat at a higher temperature when you are at work, running errands, or away from your house for an extended period. That way, you won’t waste money cooling an empty home. Additionally, raising the thermostat setting will slow the flow of heat into your home, saving energy (and money) on air conditioning. Of course, if you have pets, be sure to set the thermostat at a temperature that will keep them safe and comfortable.

It’s important to avoid setting your thermostat extremely low when you return home and turn on your air conditioning. Doing this won’t cool your home any faster and could cause unnecessary cooling, and as a result, a higher energy bill.

You can manually adjust your thermostat throughout the day according to your needs, or you can install a programmable thermostat to automatically maintain your house temperature, saving you time and effort. With a programmable thermostat, you can change the temperature of your home to fit your schedule, for example, setting it higher after you leave for work and cooler before your regular bedtime.

How to Keep Your House Cool, Without Blasting the AC

Setting your thermostat at a higher temperature in the summer to save money and energy sounds like a great idea in theory, but it may leave you feeling hot and irritable. Or maybe you don’t like to be chilled in the blasting air conditioning. Either way, here are some tips to keep your house temperature lower in the summer, without cranking up the AC:

• Install or close window treatments – Close window blinds and/or curtains to help block out light and prevent heat gain through your windows.
• Utilize ceiling fans – If you turn on your ceiling fan, you can raise your thermostat setting 4 degrees without feeling a difference in comfort. Be sure to turn off your fan when you leave a room, as fans cool people using a wind chill effect and don’t actually cool rooms.
• Avoid using heat-generating appliances – Appliances like your oven, stove, hairdryer, and dryer can make your house feel hotter on already hot days. Try to use these appliances in the evening when it’s cooler or opt to air dry your clothes or cook outside on the grill.
• Open windows on cooler days – On cooler summer days, open your windows at night and close them during the day to trap the cool air in.
• Remove humidity in bathrooms and laundry rooms – When showering or doing laundry, turn on the fan to vent heat and humidity outside. However, make sure your fans are properly vented and don’t blow the heat into the attic.
• Seal cracks around windows and doors – Keep the hot air out by sealing gaps and openings around your windows and doors with caulk for stationary components or weatherstripping for movable components.
• Schedule regular air conditioning service – Scheduling regular air conditioning maintenance will help keep your system running efficiently, saving you money on your energy bills as well as on future costly repairs.

Invest in an Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner or Air Conditioning Service

If you don’t see a difference in energy costs after setting your thermostat higher, your air conditioner may not be running efficiently. You may need to have your air conditioning system serviced or repaired. Contact a professional to look at your system to make sure it’s operating properly. At Martinov, our air conditioning service experts will assess the situation, clearly communicate any work that needs to be done, provide an estimate, and get the job done on time so you can enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned home as soon as possible.

Or maybe it’s time for a replacement. We have the perfect energy-efficient air conditioner for your needs. Contact us today and let us help you live cool and comfortably!