The sweltering summer season can take a toll on your home’s energy bill. Areas like Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, and Tempe can be particularly hot, with temperatures hitting over 100 degrees. Your air conditioner will be forced to work extra to keep your home cool and maintain it throughout the day. So, what’s the best temperature to set your thermostat to this season? How can you find a balance that works for you without overworking your air conditioning system? Read on to find out!
The recommended thermostat settings in Arizona
Setting your thermostat correctly is the first step to maintaining your air conditioning system and lowering energy bills. Having the thermostat set between 68-72 degrees is comfortable for most people. However, it takes lots of energy for your air conditioner to maintain such a temperature throughout the day unless you have a very powerful unit and a well-insulated house. A good rule of thumb is to set the thermostat to the highest possible comfortable setting. This is usually between 75 and 80 degrees.
Make good use of other cooling techniques
If there’s a significant difference between your indoor and outside warmth, your AC bills will likely be higher. Ideally, you set the thermostat between 72 and 78 during the day and keep your fan running. If you have trees surrounding your home, they will offer shade, preventing your home from heat. Close the windows and pull the blinds to avoid the sun’s rays from entering your home if you don’t have shade.
There’s no reason to keep your air conditioner running all day when your home is unoccupied. If you have a smart thermostat that you can access from anywhere, you can set it to the highest comfortable temperature a few hours before you get home. Don’t be tempted to set the thermostat cooler than usual to cool you faster. This only leads to higher cooling bills.
Find ways to keep your home cool without having the AC running constantly
One of the best ways to manage your air conditioning energy bills is using a programmable thermostat. You can set it to turn on and off throughout the night, keeping you cool and comfortable. A programmable thermostat also sets the temperature higher when you leave for work and gradually lowers it as evening hours approach.
This can save you up to 20 percent on your power bill. Remember turning off the AC completely does more harm than good. You’re better off keeping it running throughout the day at a slightly higher temperature, say 10 degrees higher, than letting your home overheat and then coming to rec-cool it back down in the evening.
Temperatures to set your thermostat in winter
Instead of turning the temperature up, start by turning the thermostat a little lower than you’d like. Likewise, set it to a lower temperature when you leave and allow it to warm up properly just before you get home. Again, you don’t want to turn off the heater. Keep your house at 65 to 68 degrees during winter, or drop it down to 60 if you will be away from home.
For HVAC installation, maintenance, servicing, and repair in Phoenix, contact Preferred Air today!