What Should I Set My Air Conditioner to in the Summer? 

As outdoor temperatures continue to rise, the heat and humidity have us working up a sweat. It’s tempting to crank up the AC and enjoy the nice, cool air is at an all-time high. However, once you get your utility bill, you realize there’s a price to pay for the extra comfort. If you’re like most of us, keep reading for tips on how to help become more energy-efficient this summer.

The Best Thermostat Settings When You’re at Home

According to the Department of Energy, 78 degrees Fahrenheit is the holy grail of indoor temperatures for anyone who is trying to become more energy-efficient and remain comfortable while staying at home. If 78 degrees is a bit hot for you, try reducing the temperature by a degree or two to see if you feel cooler. If you still find yourself looking for relief, investing in a dehumidifier or using a fan may help in trapping cool air in your home.

The Best Air Conditioner Settings When You’re Away

A simple way to reduce energy costs is by increasing your indoor temperature while away from home. As tempting as it may be to turn your AC off completely, you should avoid doing so. If you turn off your air conditioner, temperatures inside will continue to rise as you’re gone. Once you’re home, it will be so hot inside that your AC will have to overwork itself trying to cool down the temperature inside when you get home.

If you’re planning to be out of the house for more than 2-3 hours, turning up your air 7-10 degrees can help save as much as ten percent on utilities. By raising your air conditioner settings, the flow of heat will slowly come into your home and it won’t take as much energy to cool your house down once you come back home.

How to Improve Your Indoor Temperature Settings

Simple energy-saving tricks are right in your home. As described above, one way to stay comfortable and save money this summer is by including a fan or box fan in your home. Using a box fan won’t reduce the temperature inside your home, but it will make you feel cooler and more comfortable.

Additional money-saving and comfort-enhancing solutions include:

• Closing your blinds or curtains during the day to reduce sunlight coming in
• Open your windows at night to naturally cool your home. Shut your windows during the day to seal in the cooler air.
• Add weather stripping to all windows and doors to better seal in comfort and keep the heat out.
• Avoid using heat-generating appliances such as an oven, a dryer, hair appliances, etc., during the day.

Schedule a Tune-Up

The humidity and heat work well together during the searing summer months and put a lot of stress on our AC systems. At Air Tech of Humble, we recommend maintaining your AC system in the spring so that it is ready for the warm summer months.

Experienced HVAC professionals are able to assess system performance, clean and adjust internal components and take care of any minor issues before they become big problems.

It’s getting hotter every day, which means your AC unit is at higher risk of overworking itself or shutting down. If you have yet to get your air conditioning system maintained, call on the professionals at Air Tech of Humble to schedule your tune-up and avoid costly repairs.