Now that we’ve reached the height of summer, you’re probably using your air conditioner more than ever. However, if you are constantly cranking your AC unit down to the lowest setting possible, you are actually doing yourself a disservice. Ideally, you will be able to calibrate your thermostat to still receive maximum comfort from your AC system, without raising your utility bills by a significant amount. What is the ideal thermostat temperature for summer? Keep reading to learn more, and remember that for all the AC services you need this summer and year-round, you can trust our certified HVAC experts at AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric.
How to Calibrate Your Thermostat for Summer
It’s widely accepted that the ideal thermostat setting for the average homeowner is 72 degrees—not too hot, not too cold, and acceptable for slight variations in the weather. But what about during the summertime? Obviously, if you live in a part of the country where summer temperatures can climb to 90 degrees or higher, you’re going to want to get as much cool air flowing through your home as possible. With that in mind, you would think summer would be the perfect time to set your thermostat below that 72 degree mark. And yet, just the opposite is true.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the ideal thermostat setting for summer is actually 78 degrees. Why would a person want to raise the temperature in their house just as it starts to heat up outside? Basically, because the closer your thermostat setting is to the outdoor temperature, the less energy is required to cool your home. By turning your thermostat up during the summer, your air conditioning system will not have to work as hard, meaning your cooling bills will remain fairly stable. Just as importantly, if your AC system is not overexerting itself, there is a lower chance it will break down, depriving you of cool air just as the weather starts to really heat up outside. The same is actually true for your heating system during the wintertime. By turning your thermostat down during the winter and up during the summer, you will be able to enjoy consistently comfortable temperatures and stable utility expenses, even as the outside temperatures reach extremes.
What are some other ways you can adjust your thermostat to maximize home comfort this summer? For starters, keep it clean, as a dirty thermostat may not calibrate properly. If you have a smart thermostat, you may also want to adjust it to be higher when you leave for the day. For instance, by setting your system to go up to 80 degrees while you are at work, you can let your AC run and still enjoy cool temperatures when you arrive home for the day. And if you are installing a new thermostat, try to put it in a place like the living room and dining room, where you spend a lot of time. Thermostats that are next to doors, under/below vents, or on exterior walls may be affected by the weather outside, and will therefore be harder to calibrate.
For All Your Thermostat & General Home Comfort Needs, Give Us a Call Today!
At AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric, our skilled technicians proudly offer thermostat services for every homeowner’s needs. In addition to repairing, replacing, and rewiring thermostats, we also offer cutting-edge smart thermostat installation, so your home always maintains the ideal temperature, no matter what season it is. Today’s smart thermostats are easy to program around your schedule, come with wi-fi capability for seamless home system integration, can be adjusted remotely through your phone or other devices, and many models are even equipped with learning capabilities, so they will adjust automatically based on your comfort preferences! Call for more information on installing a smart, wireless thermostat, and let AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric upgrade your comfort today!
To learn more about our thermostat options, call (303) 313-3333 now, or contact us online.
