Here in Kentucky, long, hot, humid summers are the norm. That means homeowners here routinely look for ways to trim their cooling bills. If you’re one of them, you’ll no doubt encounter advice online telling you to adjust your thermostat. The problem is, you’ll find conflicting information about how to do so, depending on where you look. To end the debate, here’s an overview of the best thermostat settings to save energy in the summer.
How Kentucky’s Climate Affects AC Demand
On the surface, it’s easy to see that our hot summers drive up demand for AC. However, in this area, it isn’t just the heat that causes homeowners to turn their thermostats down. The humidity is arguably an even bigger reason. In high-humidity conditions, your AC must work harder to cool your home. That leads to longer runtimes, even if you never lower your thermostat.
High humidity also interferes with your body’s built-in cooling mechanism. Your body depends on the evaporation of sweat to remove heat. When the air’s already saturated, there’s nowhere for your sweat to evaporate to. As a result, you may feel like it’s about 5 degrees above the actual air temperature on a humid day. That can all but force you to lower your thermostat to compensate.
The high humidity here also plays a role in choosing the right thermostat settings to save money. If you follow advice online written for people in a dry climate, it won’t work here.
Thermostat Settings for Maximum Energy Savings
According to the Department of Energy, you should use 78°F as your starting point temperature when you’re at home. That’s usually high enough to prevent excessive AC use, while remaining low enough to keep you comfortable. Additionally, at that temperature, your AC should still run frequently enough to reduce indoor humidity effectively.
Of course, your comfort also plays a role in the settings you choose. On the hottest and most humid days, you may have little choice but to lower your thermostat. That’s fine to do, but there’s something you should know. It’s that every degree below 78°F will result in a 3% to 5% increase in cooling costs. So, while lowering the thermostat in a pinch is fine, you should try to turn it back up as soon as possible.
Changing Thermostat Settings to Match Your Routine
If you have a programmable thermostat, it can help you maximize your energy savings. If you configure your thermostat to alter the temperature to match your routines, you can eliminate waste. For example, you can set your thermostat to change its setpoint to between 82°F and 85°F while you’re at work. That’s enough to save you a significant sum, without overworking your AC upon your return.
You can also program your thermostat to lower its setpoint to between 74°F and 76°F while you’re asleep. That’s beneficial for a few reasons. One is that it will help you sleep more comfortably. The other is that it will lower your home’s temperature without fighting the sun. That reduces your total cooling costs. Then, when you raise the setpoint the following day, your AC won’t come on again for some time.
The only exception to these guidelines is during a heat wave. When there’s little difference between daytime and nighttime outdoor temperatures, your best bet is to leave your thermostat alone. Your AC will use less energy overall when it’s keeping a steady indoor temperature in those conditions.
Additional Thermostat Considerations
The type of home you own can also play a role in your ideal thermostat settings. For example, if you own an older home, it may not be well insulated or air sealed. That can lead to big indoor temperature and humidity swings. In that case, you should try to avoid changing your thermostat too much, unless you’re away from home for an extended period. If you live in a manufactured home, the same logic applies.
If you live in a newer home or a home that had its insulation upgraded, you can be more aggressive with thermostat changes. A well-insulated, well-sealed home shouldn’t experience large temperature and humidity swings. So, raising your thermostat won’t force your AC to overwork when you lower the temperature again.
The Benefit of Humidity Control
As you may have guessed by now, humidity control is the key to energy savings in the Kentucky climate. The lower the humidity in your home, the cooler you’ll feel and the less your AC will need to run. And there are multiple ways to reduce your indoor humidity.
The first thing to do is ensure you keep your home’s doors and windows closed as much of the time as possible. Additionally, you can install weatherstripping to help create an airtight seal when you close your doors and windows. That keeps the humidity outside and helps your AC control indoor humidity.
If your AC routinely struggles to lower indoor humidity, you should consider a whole-house dehumidifier. They integrate into your home’s HVAC ductwork and work independently or in concert with your AC. Because whole-home dehumidifiers are designed for humidity removal, they’re more energy efficient than your AC. Keeping humidity in check can dramatically reduce your home’s total cooling costs.
Consider a Smart Thermostat to Maximize Savings
Installing a smart thermostat can also help you maximize energy savings in the summer. They provide all the benefits of programmable thermostats, and then some. According to ENERGY STAR, smart thermostats bearing their logo provide an average energy savings of 8%. And more advanced models may do far better than that. According to Nest, its smart thermostats save the average homeowner between 12% and 15% on their heating and cooling costs. Ecobee, for its part, says its smart thermostats save the average homeowner 26% on their heating and cooling costs.
Don’t Forget HVAC Considerations
Finally, it’s important to remember that your thermostat only controls your home’s HVAC. Your HVAC itself plays a massive role in your energy costs. To maximize your savings, it’s a good idea to have your air conditioner serviced every spring. During maintenance visits, your AC will get inspected, cleaned, and adjusted for optimal performance. The efficiency gains from routine maintenance reduce energy consumption each time your AC runs. And maintenance should increase your AC’s longevity, too.
You can also consider upgrading your home’s AC to one with a higher SEER2 rating. That’s the single most effective way to cut your home’s cooling costs. If your home’s AC is over 10 years old, it may need replacement. We’d be happy to discuss your options with you if you wish.
Your Local HVAC Efficiency Experts
Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric is the local leader in HVAC efficiency in Louisville, KY and the surrounding area. We’re a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. And we have a team of experienced NATE-certified technicians. If that’s not enough reason to turn to us, we’re also Better Business Bureau accredited with an A+ rating. So, if you’re interested in trimming your home’s cooling costs this summer, don’t wait. Contact Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric today for the latest thermostats, AC maintenance, and AC upgrades.
