The long answer: it depends on what you and your family deem to be a comfortable indoor temperature. Families throughout New Jersey have different preferences, different budgets, and tolerances to heat. Learn how to maintain your ideal indoor temperature in the summer and stay cool with these tips from our HVAC experts.
Find the Best Thermostat Temperature
1. Time Your Temperatures
Whether manually, or with the help of an automated thermostat, get in the habit of setting your air conditioner to be higher when no one is home, or when everyone is asleep. The US Department of Energy says, “You can save money on your heating and cooling bills by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or away from home.” There’s no need to sacrifice comfort to savings if you plan when you will be using the most energy and temper it by using less energy at a different time of day.
2. Regulate Indoor Humidity
Humidity is a significant contributing factor to indoor temperature. In the summer, many homes retain moisture, whether as a result of an inefficient AC unit, air leaks, or other causes. Regardless, higher levels of humidity inside of your home will make it feel like it’s hotter than it really is. While you may be tempted to turn the thermostat to a cooler temperature, try to reduce the humidity. Use rotating fans to circulate and dry the air. An article about indoor air quality published by the EPA recommends an indoor relative humidity of 30% to 50%.
3. Assess Your Comfort Threshold
Many households fall into the practice of picking the same thermostat setting out of habit. If your go-to setting is less than 75 degrees, experiment with slowly raising it. You may find that you are just as comfortable at 78 degrees. Every family in Mercer County is different. Play with your settings this year to find the best summer thermostat temperature. You may find that you can save money without sacrificing comfort at all.
4. Pair it with a High Efficiency AC Unit
A newer energy efficient AC unit has two benefits. On one hand, it offers energy cost savings. with 20% to 50% energy cost reduction in the first year. On the other hand, it cools your home faster and more consistently. When your thermostat works together with a high efficiency AC unit, you can find and keep your ideal cool temperature all summer long, while still saving money on electricity.
The Best Thermostat Temperature, All Summer Long
Are you having troubles keeping your family comfortable this summer? Princeton Fuel Oil (PFO) serves homes throughout Mercer County with NATE certified technicians and the highest standards of customer service.
If your AC unit or thermostat needs maintenance or repair, schedule an appointment with PFO today.
