You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your house at the right temperature during summer weather.

But what is the best temperature, exactly? We review advice from energy experts so you can choose the best temperature for your loved ones.

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

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

Most families find using the thermostat at 72-73 degrees provides ideal comfort. However, if there’s a big difference between your inside and exterior temperatures, your electrical costs will be greater.

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 methods you can keep your residence refreshing without having the AC running all the time.

Keeping windows and blinds shut during the day keeps cool air where it needs to be—inside. Some window solutions, including honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide added insulation and improved energy conservation.

If you have ceiling fans in your house, the DOE says you can move thermostat temperatures about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s since they freshen with a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, turn them off when you exit a room.

If 78 degrees still appears too warm initially, try running a test for a week or so. Begin by raising your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your residence. Then, steadily lower it while using the suggestions above. You could be astonished at how comfortable you feel at a hotter temperature setting.

While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner running all day while your home is vacant. Moving the setting 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your air conditioning expenses, according to the DOE.

When you come home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat colder than 78 to cool your residence more quickly. This isn’t productive and typically results in a more expensive electricity expense.

A programmable thermostat is a good approach to keep your temperature in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you risk forgetting to raise the set temperature when you leave.

If you need a hassle-free solution, think about installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat links with your phone, so it knows when you’re at your house and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? Usually $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.

Another advantage of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.

While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR advises 82 degrees, that may be unpleasant for the majority of families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is chilled, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation suggests 60–67 degrees. But that may be too chilly, due to your pajama and blanket preference.

We advise trying a similar test over a week, putting your temperature higher and progressively lowering it to pinpoint the right setting for your family. On mild nights, you could find keeping windows open at night and using a ceiling fan is a superior option than using the air conditioning.

More Approaches to Conserve Energy This Summer

There are other approaches you can spend less money on utility bills throughout the summer.

  1. Install an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only last about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. A new air conditioner can keep your house more comfortable while keeping AC costs down.
  2. Book annual air conditioner maintenance. Annual air conditioner maintenance keeps your system running like it should and might help it operate more efficiently. It could also help extend its life cycle, since it enables techs to discover little troubles before they create a major meltdown.
  3. Change air filters frequently. Read manufacturer instructions for changing your air filter. A dusty filter can result in your system short cycling, or turn on and off too often, and drive up your electrical.
  4. Measure attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
  5. Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has come apart over time can leak cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort problems in your residence, like hot and cold spots.
  6. Seal cracks, doors and windows. Keep hot air where it should be by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more conditioned air indoors.

Use Less Energy This Summer with Air Current AC & Heat

If you need to conserve more energy during hot weather, our Air Current AC & Heat specialists can help. Give us a call at 713-257-9226 or contact us online for additional information about our energy-saving cooling solutions.