Although Alabama summers can get hot even near the coast, you don’t have to spend a fortune cooling your house. By following a few simple energy-saving tips, you can keep your family comfortable all season long without emptying your wallet. An HVAC contractor can evaluate your system and recommend various strategies for saving on utilities during the hottest months of the year. In the meantime, set your thermostat at the following ideal temperatures throughout the day. 

When You’re Home

Unless a member of your household has a health condition that makes them more sensitive to higher temperatures, 78 degrees is a reasonable setting when you’re home. If the house feels stuffy at this temperature, see if using ceiling fans and dehumidifiers improves things before you dial down the temperature. 

When You’re Out 

When you leave the house, consider turning up the AC by about 5 degrees, or to 83 degrees. Any higher than this and the system will have to work harder to cool down the house upon your return, thereby canceling out the energy savings. Keeping the house around 83 degrees will also ensure your pets remain comfortable when you’re gone. For optimal efficiency, ask your HVAC contractor about installing smart thermostats. These devices will automatically adjust the temperature as you come and go. 

When You’re Sleeping

Before you can fall into a deep sleep, your body temperature must drop slightly. Researchers have found that keeping your bedroom between 60 and 67 degrees can facilitate this dip. That doesn’t mean you have to turn the thermostat way down at nighttime, though. Sealing windows, closing blinds, using fans, and sleeping under light sheets instead of heavy blankets are just a few ways to reach a comfortable temperature so you can get some shut-eye. Try these strategies while the thermostat is set to 78 degrees. If they don’t seem to work, turn down the temperature in 2-degree increments until you find a comfortable sleep setting. 

If you want to save even more on utilities this summer by installing an energy-efficient air conditioning system, turn to Gulf Coast HVAC, LLC. Based in Foley, AL, this full-service HVAC contractor is proud to serve residential and commercial clients throughout Baldwin County. Their friendly technicians have more than 30 years of combined experience in the field. From heating repair to AC installation, they do it all. To get in touch with this HVAC contractor, call (251) 955-1054. Learn more about their services on the website.