Understanding what temperature to set air conditioners for optimal comfort will keep your energy bills in check. If the high energy costs of long Florida summers are getting you down, we’re here to help. Your thermostat settings determine how often your air conditioner must run, and setting the temperature too low in the summer will drive up your energy bills while adding unnecessary wear on your AC unit. Here’s what you need to know.
What Temperature to Set Air Conditioners
If you’re not familiar with the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, it was launched in 1992 as a voluntary plan designed to promote energy efficiency in homes and businesses in the US.
Over the years, ENERGY STAR has saved more than $362 billion on utility bills so we trust their recommendations whenever available.
To find the balance between a comfortable home and optimal cooling efficiency, ENERGY STAR recommends that you set your thermostat for 78 degrees or higher during summer days. Overnight, they recommend a temperature of 82 degrees, and while you’re away, 85 degrees is low enough to prevent your home from becoming overheated. By keeping your thermostat set at these recommended temperatures, your cooling system won’t have to run as often, and you’ll cut down on your energy needs.
If you’re still feeling uncomfortably warm, ceiling fans can circulate the air in larger rooms to make them feel much cooler than the actual air temperature. For smaller spaces or for individual comfort, box fans, floor fans, and desk fans can create a personal zone of wind chill that will keep you cool without having to cool down the entire house.
Maintaining Indoor Comfort
Keeping your home comfortable requires a little more than simply knowing what temperature to set air conditioners. Instead, think of your home as an entire system that works together to keep you comfortable. From the insulation in your attic to the weatherstripping around your windows, each component must be in order to reach optimal comfort and energy efficiency.
Aside from the AC unit itself, here are the most important parts of your air conditioning system in the home and what you can do to create the biggest impact on your cooling bills.
- Programmable Thermostat. If you’re like the rest of us, remembering to reset the thermostat as you come and go is not easy. A programmable thermostat will take care of the changes for you. The latest models will even learn your habits and take care of the details for you.
- Air Leaks. If your air conditioner is working hard to circulate cooled air throughout the home, letting it escape outside is throwing away money. It will also cause your home to feel warmer than it should, which drives some homeowners to solve the problem by dropping the thermostat a few degrees. Sealing the leaks is a much better, permanent solution.
- Boost Insulation. Warm air will always seek out cooler spaces to release some of its heat. Insulation provides a barrier between your cooled home and hot outdoor temps so the heat stays outside. We like spray foam insulation because it’s applied as a wet product, and as it dries, it expands to form a tight seal. That way, you get the benefits of added insulation plus a reduction of air leaks in one product.
When you give your entire home system a boost by adding insulation, sealing air leaks, and switching to a programmable thermostat, your air conditioner will run less frequently while your home feels more comfortable all day long.
Spray Foam Insulation
For the best in year-round home comfort, spray foam insulation keeps your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. You won’t have to keep fidgeting with the thermostat trying to figure out what temperature to set the air conditioner because your home will be working as an entire system to keep you comfortable.
If you’re ready to reduce your home’s energy bills, improve the air quality in your home, and give your air conditioner a break from the long, hot Florida summers, contact Wattson Home Solutions for your free, no obligation spray foam consultation today.
