As seasons change, one question remains the same: what temperature should you set your AC or heater to? Read on to find out what energy-efficient temperatures Champion AC & Plumbing recommends for your home.
Year-Round Energy Efficient Temperatures
The thermostat is a component of the heating and cooling system and is often overlooked and taken for granted by many homeowners.
Some of the easiest energy-saving tips include:
- Take shorter showers
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room
- Unplug electronics when not in use
These are all important best practices to follow for saving on energy, but they hardly take up enough energy to make a major impact on your utility bill. According to the Department of Energy, heating and air conditioning can account for 48 percent of a home’s energy usage.
If you’re trying to be more energy-efficient and wondering what you can do to save more money each month, consider changing your thermostat temperatures for the different seasons you endure. Keep in mind that you don’t have to follow these requirements exactly, they’re simply meant to be more of a goal.
Staying cool in the summer
In warmer seasons, try to keep your house at 78 degrees when at home and at 85 degrees when away. By keeping the temperature inside similar to temperatures outside, your overall cooling bill will be lower.
If this is your first time trying to be energy efficient in the summer, here are some ways to stay more comfortable:
- Wear lightweight clothing and breathable fabrics
- Use ceiling fans or box fans in occupied rooms
- Take cool showers before bed
- Avoid using appliances that bring a lot of heat like an oven. Instead, use a microwave, air fryer, toaster oven or grill instead
Keeping warm in the winter
During colder weather, we recommend trying to keep your winter thermostat at 68 degrees when at home and turning it down by 10 degrees while sleeping or away.
If this is you first time trying to be energy efficient in the winter, here are some ways to keep warm:
- Dress warmly in sweaters, socks and winter hats while inside
- Sip on something warm like tea or coffee
- Use an electric blanket to relax comfortably
- Purchase an energy-efficient space heater that you can move from room to room
If you try these recommendations, you will be on your way to newfound energy savings!
Energy-efficient benefits
Finding small ways to decrease your use of energy is not only good for your wallet, but it’s good for the environment and prolongs the life of your HVAC system, too. It takes resources in the form of gas, electricity and water to keep your home comfortable, but by choosing to become more energy-efficient, you’ll use fewer resources and have a smaller impact on the environment.
As proud supporters of green energy, we’re determined to help you with any questions or concerns you may have while going green. Start your energy-efficient journey by calling Champion AC & Plumbing today and scheduling an in-home consultation!
