Summer is here. Along with barbecues, vacations, and days by the pool, you’re guaranteed to endure big heat waves. Depending on your area, triple-digit temperatures may be the norm for three or more months out of the year. A growing heat index, paired with your objective to decrease your monthly energy expenditure, has you contemplating what degree to set the thermostat in the summer.
It turns out that the optimal interior temperature for your house during the summer months is 78 degrees, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If that temperature falls beyond your comfort zone, there are various methods to adjust how your house feels without causing your energy cost to soar. Keep in mind, each degree set over your recommended thermostat settings in summer may save you up to 3 percent on your cooling bills.
Increase Temperature While Gone
Naturally, as the heat rises outside, your HVAC system works harder to maintain your desired inside temperature. While you’re gone, though, your fixed temperature doesn’t need to be nearly so low.
Adjust the thermostat while you’re going to a higher setting. Installing a smart thermostat will make regulating the interior temperature much simpler. Schedule the setting to raise by seven to 10 degrees while you’re at work or gone for the day.
With the option to manage the thermostat from your smartphone, you may effortlessly alter the temperature to a colder setting before reaching home. Increasing the temperature while you’re gone might help save up to 10 percent on your energy bill.
Ceiling Fan Direction In Summer
During the summer, a ceiling fan will not replace your air conditioner, but it may surely supplement it. On the majority of models, there is a little switch towards the bottom or side of the fan’s mounting base. This switch enables you to adjust the fan’s direction according to the season.
During the summer, the blades of your ceiling fan should rotate counterclockwise. By rotating in this direction, your fan pushes air downward, creating a refreshing breeze. The temperature in the room is around four degrees colder and remains constant throughout the day. Additionally, you may boost the temperature of your air conditioner by two to three degrees due to the fan’s cooling effect.
Seasonal AC Maintenance
Similar to how you would prepare your car for a long journey to ensure that everything is in proper operating order, you should do the same with your air conditioning. Prior to the onset of summer heat, completing HVAC maintenance in the spring will assist ensure that the unit is operating correctly, that the refrigerant levels are topped up, and that the unit is cooling as effectively as possible.
Small factors such as leaking air ducts, inadequate insulation, and overgrown vegetation may reduce the performance of an air conditioner. An independent Trane Dealer can conduct periodic maintenance on your unit, as well as assist with the replacement of an aging system.
Observe The Relative Humidity
The temperature feels hotter when atmospheric humidity increases. This is due to the fact that humidity limits the body’s capacity to cool itself by sweating. A greater proportion of relative humidity enhances the heat index, making it seem hotter than it really is. When relative humidity levels are high, the thermostat should be set at a lower temperature. Your air conditioner is meant to combat this issue by lowering humidity levels.
The EPA recommends a humidity range between 30 and 50 percent, which keeps your house pleasant throughout the summer. Whenever possible, use a dehumidifier to further reduce humidity levels. Alternately, utilize ceiling and personal fans to circulate air across the space. These fans help in evaporation to promote cooling and are excellent in reducing atmospheric humidity.
Purchase A Programmable Thermostat.
Setting different temperatures for when you are at home and while you are gone can reduce your power cost. However, it’s easy to forget to adjust the settings. This is where a programmed or intelligent thermostat comes in useful. It eliminates the need to manually adjust the settings every time you leave or visit the home. A programmable thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature based on variables such as the time of day.
Set your air conditioner to begin chilling your house around 60 minutes before you arrive, ensuring the inside is at the ideal temperature when you enter. Smart thermostats provide temperature control through smartphones or tablets. Additionally, they can detect when you enter or exit the home. The temperature settings on these thermostats are automatically adjusted as needed. Many of them can detect humidity levels and, as a result, alter them to regulate room temperatures.
Using numerous thermostats, you may manage the temperature in distinct sections of your house via zoning. By separating the bedrooms from the living area, you can maintain a pleasant temperature while reducing your energy costs. In addition to adjusting the thermostat settings while prepping your air conditioner for summer, now is the time to change the AC filter for more effective cooling.
Conclusion
A well-functioning air conditioner makes the summer heat tolerable. Despite the potential for increased energy costs, these may be addressed by setting the thermostat slightly higher in order to reduce power use. By adhering to the aforementioned recommendations, you may keep your power costs in control while still enjoying a nice summer inside.
