As summer grinds on, it’s only natural that your air conditioning unit has been putting in a lot more work than at other times of the year. You want to keep your home comfortable — but you also don’t want to drive up your utility bills. Here’s a closer look at where you should set your thermostat to find the right balance between comfort and energy efficiency.

At Home & Away

When you’re home, try to keep your thermostat set to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Though a bit warm for some, this temperature typically strikes the right balance of comfort and savings. If you install ceiling fans or use window shades to minimize heat gain from the sun, you can greatly reduce how frequently your air conditioning unit needs to run.

When you’re away for work or a vacation, you can set the thermostat higher—even as high as 88 degrees. Warmer indoor temperatures reduce heat gain and will keep your system from running when there isn’t anyone home to appreciate the cooler settings.

Sleeping

At night, our bodies naturally cool down as we go to sleep. Because of this, warm rooms can make it harder to drift off or enter a restorative deep sleep. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation recommends keeping the room temperature between 60 and 67 degrees at night to make it easier to fall asleep.

Of course, this can overwork your air conditioning unit after a particularly hot day. While it’s still a good idea to lower your thermostat at night, you can save energy by using a ceiling fan. The cool, circulating air will help the room feel significantly cooler than the number on the screen. And if you have a smart thermostat, program the temperature to gradually lower through the first part of the night before returning to your morning norm.

Whether you need help with the air conditioning unit or furnace, you can rely on All Comfort Control Heating & Cooling. Serving Thomasville, NC, and surrounding cities, this family-owned and -operated business leverages 28 years of industry experience to provide high-quality, affordable service—including available financing. To learn more about what this licensed and insured HVAC contractor can do for your home comfort, visit them online or call (336) 472-7986.