Before the summer season kicks in, you need to evaluate your home’s air conditioning system and prepare for the hottest season of the year. The goal is to ensure your air conditioning is set in a way that provides you with maximum comfort in a cost-effective way.
Optimal thermostat settings are critical in the summer. It requires knowledge to adjust the thermostat settings that will save you money and keep you refreshed in the summer heat. Here are six cost-effective tips for the best thermostat settings in summer:
1. Thermostat Settings When You’re at Home
It is recommended that you should set your thermostat at 26°C while at home. At this level, the air conditioner helps to keep your home cool and does not consume excess energy, allowing you to avoid high electricity bills. If these temperatures are still high for you, invest in a dehumidifier to help further reduce the humidity in your home.
2. Thermostat Settings When You’re Away
While you are away, setting your thermostat at higher temperatures helps to keep the outside heat from flowing into your home. This makes it easier to revert to your preferred temperature once you return. The ideal thermostat setting while away from home is 31°C. These temperatures will lower your electricity bills. Higher interior temperatures slow down the flow of heat from outside to your house.
3. Thermostat Settings for Children
Air conditioning can significantly increase electricity bills during the summer. A standard temperature for the family is essential, especially when you have young children living with you.
Set the thermostat at different levels until you get to one that is agreeable with the rest of the family members. Start from 27°C, and gradually lower the temperature until you find the optimal average that your family is comfortable with. A temperature range of between 23°C and 26°C for home occupants in summer clothes is recommended. At night, conserve your energy by setting the temperatures a bit higher, say at 27°C, but use lighter bedding and sleepwear. A ceiling fan could also come in handy.
4. Calculate Potential Savings
Estimate how much it costs to keep your home cool. This will help you decide on setting your thermostat at a level that you can manage. You should only settle on a thermostat temperature after calculating your costs. The higher you set your thermostat, the more you will save on air conditioning costs.
Calculating your costs helps you reflect on potential savings if you set your thermostat at slightly higher temperatures. You will pay higher electricity bills if you set your thermostat at lower temperatures.
5. Keep an Eye on the Humidity
The higher the level of humidity in the atmosphere, the hotter it feels. This is because humidity inhibits the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating. A higher humidity percentage increases the heat index, making it feel hotter than it should. The thermostat should be fixed at lower temperatures when the atmospheric humidity is high. Your air conditioner is designed to deal with this problem by reducing the humidity levels.
The ideal humidity level set by the EPA is 30 to 50 percent, which keeps your home comfortable during the summer. If available, use a dehumidifier to further lower humidity. Alternatively, use personal and ceiling fans to blow air into the room. These fans aid evaporation to promote cooling, and they are effective in reducing humidity from the atmosphere.
6. Get a Programmable Thermostat
Setting different thermostat temperatures while away and when at home will lower your electricity bills. However, you may easily forget to change the settings. This is where a smart or programmable thermostat comes in handy. It takes away the burden of having to physically change the settings every time you leave or enter the house. A programmable thermostat will allow you to set different temperatures to suit different scenarios, such as the time of day.
Set your AC to start cooling your home about 60 minutes prior to your arrival, ensuring your interior has the right temperature by the time you step inside. Smart thermostats can control the temperature via your smartphone or tablet. They can also sense when you enter or leave the house. These thermostats automatically adjust the temperature settings accordingly. Many of them can detect humidity levels and consequently control them to regulate your room temperatures.
A working air conditioner makes the summer heat bearable. Although it can result in higher electricity bills, these can be mitigated by ensuring thermostat levels are set slightly higher to control power consumption. By following the above tips, you can keep your electricity bills in check and still enjoy a comfortable summer indoors.
