There is no doubt that running air conditioning can raise your electric bill. But when you are away or on vacation, what is the sweet spot to set your temperature to so that you are comfortable when you return home or to save money? Let's take a look below.
If you are going away for the day, such as for work or errands, you should set your temperature to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you plan to leave for vacation, then you can set your temperature to 85-88 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have pets at home, you will need to set the temperature a bit lower to ensure that they are comfortable.
Any money you can save is a good thing, but you also don't want to come home to a hot, stuffy house. In this article, we will discuss in detail the best temperature to set your AC so you can save money while maintaining comfort. In addition, we will answer other questions about air conditioning in your home, so keep reading!
What Is The Best Temperature To Set Your AC When You Are Away?
There is an ongoing debate on what is the best temperature to set your AC when you leave for the day or on vacation, and it really depends on who you ask.
The Department of Energy suggests setting your AC to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you leave for the day. This is the sweet spot that will save you money on your electric bill and keep your home comfortable when you return.
To some, this still may be too warm, and if so, it is okay to turn the AC down a few notches. Sticking to 78 degrees will still save you money, but it may be harder for some homeowners than others to do so.
For example, if you have older kids at home who are used to the AC being set lower, it may be harder to get them to adjust to a warmer house. In this case, you may need to come to a compromise and set the AC to a lower temperature, such as 76 or 77 degrees.
If you are going on vacation, you can turn your AC up a few notches and set it to 85-88 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because your home will be empty, and no one will be there to feel the heat.
But if you have pets that will be at home while you are away, you will need to be careful about how high you set the temperature. This is because pets can't sweat as humans do, so they are more susceptible to heatstroke.
For this reason, it is best to set the AC to 82 degrees or lower if you have pets at home while you are away. This will keep them comfortable and safe until you return.
Should You Turn The AC Off When You Are Away?
When you are leaving for an extended period of time, such as for vacation, you may be tempted to turn the AC off completely. But this is not recommended, as it can actually end up costing you more money in the long run.
The reason for this is that when you turn the AC off, the temperature in your home will gradually increase over time. This is especially true if it is hot outside.
When you come back from vacation, your home will be stuffy and hot, and it will take the AC longer to cool down the house. This will use more energy and raise your electric bill.
It is better to leave the AC on and set it to a higher temperature than to turn it off completely. This way, your home will be more comfortable when you return, and it won't cost you as much money in the long run.
What Are Other Ways To Save Money On Your AC Electric Bill?
There are a few other things you can do to save money on your electric bill in addition to setting the AC to the right temperature. Let's take a look below:
Programmable Thermostat
Luckily, living in an age where technology is growing by leaps and bounds means there are now devices that can help you save money on your electric bill.
One such device is the programmable thermostat. While almost all thermostats are programmable, you can do even more with a programmable thermostat to save money.
For example, you can set the temperature to be lower when you are away at work or on vacation. Then, you can program it to gradually increase the temperature an hour before you come home so that your home is comfortable when you arrive.
Some even allow you to control the thermostat on your phone, so you can make sure the temperature is perfect no matter where you are.
If you don't have a programmable thermostat, now is the time to invest in one. They are relatively inexpensive and can save you a lot of money on your electric bill in the long run.
Change Your AC Filter
Another simple way to save money on your electric bill is to change your AC filter. A dirty AC filter can make your AC unit work harder, using more energy and raising your electric bill.
AC filters should be changed every 1-3 months depending on the type of filter you have. If you have a disposable filter, it will need to be changed more often. But if you have a permanent filter, you can simply rinse it off with water and let it air dry before putting it back in.
Either way, changing your AC filter is a simple and easy way to save money on your electric bill.
Use Blinds
Investing in blackout blinds or curtains is another great way to save money on your electric bill. This is because they can help keep the heat out in the summer and the cold out in the winter.
In the summer, blackout blinds or curtains will prevent the sun from heating up your home, which means your AC unit won't have to work as hard. And in the winter, they will help keep the heat in so that your heater doesn't have to work as hard.
Blackout blinds or curtains are a great investment for any home and will pay dividends in the form of lower electric bills.
Keep Up On AC Repairs
Of course, one of the best ways to save money on your electric bill is to keep up with AC repairs. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's actually easy to let AC repairs fall by the wayside.
AC units are complex pieces of machinery, and they need to be properly maintained in order to work efficiently. This means getting regular tune-ups and repairs as needed.
If you neglect your AC unit, it will start to use more energy and raise your electric bill. But if you keep up with AC repairs, you can avoid this and save money in the long run.
Invest In An Energy-Efficient AC Unit
Finally, one of the best ways to save money on your electric bill is to invest in an energy-efficient AC unit.
AC units have come a long way in recent years, and there are now many that are highly energy efficient. These AC units use less energy to cool your home, which means you'll save money on your electric bill.
If you're in the market for a new AC unit, be sure to look for one that is energy efficient. It will cost more upfront, but it will save you money in the long run.
These are just a few of the ways you can save money on your electric bill. If you implement some or all of these tips, you can see a significant decrease in your AC electric bill.
What AC Temperature When Sleeping Is Best?
The best AC temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range will keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night.
However, this isn't the best temperature if you want to save money. So if you're looking to save money, then set your AC about 4 degrees higher than normal.
For example, if you are sticking to the energy-saving temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit, then set your AC to 82 degrees when you go to bed.
Your body temperature drops when you sleep, so you'll be comfortable at this higher temperature. In addition, this will save you money on your electric bill because your AC unit won't have to work as hard.
Final Thoughts
There is no need to keep your AC on full blast when you aren't home. Instead, you can save money by turning it up a few degrees or even turning it off entirely.
If you have blackout curtains or blinds, use them to keep the heat out in the summer and the cold out in the winter. This will help your AC unit work less, which will save you money on your electric bill.
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