What Is A Good Summer Thermostat Temperature?

The perfect thermostat setting balances comfort & cost

What’s the best temperature setting for your thermostat during the warmest season? Well, that depends on who you ask and what your priorities are! We all know that the harder your air conditioner has to work to keep your home cool, the more it costs – but at the same time, do you really want to give up comfort to cut costs? Maybe to a “degree” – see what we did there?! – but will it be worth it? Read on to learn some tips for making the most of your AC system’s energy efficiency this summer, and decide for yourself what temperature setting works best for you.

Conflicting advice: Comfort vs. Efficiency

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 78° as the best temperature to set your thermostat in the summer – and by “best,” they surely mean “most energy-efficient,” since that’s just too warm for some of us, especially in the sweltering heat. Health experts say we sleep better when it’s cooler –as low as 66°, in fact!

Are you tired of feeling the need to weigh your health and comfort against the desire to save on skyrocketing energy bills? You’re not alone. Here are some tips to get your through the summer without breaking the bank – or a sweat while you sleep.

Energy-efficient tips for your thermostat this summer

• Take advantage of your thermostat’s capabilities: You don’t have to hang out with your temperature set at 78 degrees if you don’t really want to – for many of us, that just uncomfortable enough to withstand, but not exactly pleasant. These days, you can take advantage of a programmable thermostat to set the temp a bit higher while you’re out of the house, while cooling your house back to your desired temperature when you’re on your way home. No need to stick your head in the freezer while the air conditioner kicks into gear!
• Upgrade to a Smart thermostat: If you don’t have a smart thermostat yet, now’s the perfect time to upgrade. You’ll start seeing energy savings right away, simply by reducing your energy usage when you’re not there to miss it. Newer technologies can even adjust heating and cooling based on when different household members are actually present in the home and what their desired settings are at different times of day. In other words, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for energy savings – you can actually increase your comfort with customized cooling schedules.
• Consider zone-based ductless cooling: Ductless systems give you the flexibility to enjoy a specific temperature in a room or multiple rooms. That means you’re more comfortable in the rooms where you spend the most time, while saving money by not paying to cool the areas of your home where you don’t go as much. The units are quiet and energy efficient, and they feature wireless remote controls. For each room where you tell us you want more cooling, we will install a compact wall unit. We can mount multiple indoor units, which all connect via flexible tubing to one outdoor compressor.
• Schedule a maintenance check: Your air conditioning system will be at its best with regular maintenance to fix any small problems before they get worse. Dirty coils, clogged filters, and loose valves can all make your equipment less efficient, both from a cooling and an energy-efficiency standpoint.

Whether you choose a hot new trend in cooling systems, or want to tweak your current system for the best savings, Needham Complete can keep you cool and comfortable, for less.

Needham Complete helps keep you COMPLETELY cool all summer

Needham Oil Complete Heating & Cooling is the heating oil provider and HVAC contractor of choice for Middlesex County and Norfolk County, MA. We’ve been taking care of families and businesses around here for over 150 years! That legacy influences every decision we make and ensures you will be COMPLETELY confident in choosing us when you become a customer today.