While constantly adjusting your thermostat can lead to increased energy use, smart thermostat settings and efficient
If your living areas frequently feel too hot or too cool and you're in the habit of changing the thermostat temperature settings to compensate, you're adding to the equipment's workload, wasting energy, and it's costing you more money.
Temperature Settings Impact Cost
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall bill will be.
68 to 72 degrees is a temperature range that is not too warm or cool, and is sufficient enough to warm up the home just enough so that everyone is comfortable regardless of the type of clothing they have on.
it is much more efficient to just leave it at the same temperature all day. My electric company was promoting having people install thermostats so they could do just that, so I tried it, and my bill went up almost 50%.
You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.
If the temperature is set to 74°F but the thermometer shows 78°F, you will have to recalibrate the thermostat to account for this 4-degree deviation. Even with older AC units or furnaces, you might have to recalibrate your thermostat from time to time.
U.S. Department of Energy research suggests that setting your programmable thermostat to 78 during the summer months is the best way to save money on your cooling costs while maintaining a comfortable temperature.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
There may be drafts and pockets of colder air near the floor; The walls are colder and don't emit the usual amount of infrared radiation, so you lose heat due to your body emitting more IR than it receives; You may spend more time indoors and hence have less physical activity, so your body generates less heat.
What costs the most on your electric bill? Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.
According to the DOE, setting your thermostat back 7°F to 10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting can help you save up to 10% in energy costs. This means keeping your thermostat around 78°F in the summer (higher when you're asleep or away) or around 68°F to 70°F in the winter (lower when you're asleep or away).
While constantly adjusting your thermostat can lead to increased energy use, smart thermostat settings and efficient heating practices can actually lower your bills.
In practical terms, setting your thermostat to 64°F while you're away instead of leaving it at 72°F results in your furnace running less often, which translates into savings.
For the best results, we recommend the "8 is Great" rule. Adjust your temperature by 8 degrees when you know you're leaving the house for at least four hours. For example, if your thermostat is set at 78° F while at home during the summer, adjust it to 86° F before heading out.
The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy people. The minimum temperature should be kept above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the very young, the elderly, or people with health problems. Watch out for signs of hypothermia.
Contrary to common misconceptions, frequent temperature fluctuations or disregarding optimal settings can actually result in higher energy bills over time. Not only does the right setting save energy, a subtle adjustment in your thermostat setting can lead to substantial savings.
Quick answer: The ideal house temperature is room temperature, which ranges from 68 to 78 degrees F, though this may vary from season to season. In winter, the average room temperature is generally 62 to 68 degrees, whereas in the summer, the average temperature is 72 to 78 degrees.
Setting your air conditioning to 72°F is generally considered a comfortable indoor temperature for many people. It strikes a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency, making it a popular choice for residential settings.
So, is it better to leave your AC on all day? Well, it depends. After all, turning the AC on and off costs more initially. However, leaving your AC on all day consumes more energy and adds wear and tear to your system, which may cost you more money for repairs in the long run.
The best way to save money is by combining both. The “run” feature lets you preset the temperature when you're not home to prevent wasting money on cooling or heating an empty home. Meanwhile, the “hold” button lets you change the room's temperature without changing your energy-saving, preset schedule.
For many of us, 70 degrees is the ideal indoor temperature, but when it is close to 100 degrees outside, your AC unit will be working quite hard to meet these expectations. Consider setting your thermostat at 75 degrees to 80 degrees in your home if the outside temperature is approaching triple digits.
During a heatwave, we recommend that you don't lower the AC's setting below 68°F. This is already quite chilly for most people, and many would consider it too cold. An air conditioner set this low risk of its coil freezing—and that's bad news because it indicates that the air conditioner is overworked.
Generally speaking, the most efficient temperature for your thermostat is between 18°C and 20°C. If you set the thermostat any higher, then you'll find that your property is very warm and it may be unsafe for babies and people with heart conditions.