During the long, hot summer months, how cool do you like to keep your thermostat? In the Austin, TX area, most residents depend on having a properly working AC unit to keep them from sweltering in their homes in the summer months. Often times, residents keep their thermostats set low to keep comfortable. However, heatwaves in Texas cause energy bills to spike as consumers are cranking up their AC.
Did you know there is an optimum temperature set in place by the Energy Star program? This program is run by a joint federal program aimed at energy efficiency and cost savings for consumers, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Energy Star, as well as the DOE and EPA, suggests that residents in the Austin area keep their thermostats set to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when they are home and awake. When you’re not in the house, Energy Star suggests setting the thermostat to 85 degrees and while sleeping, 82 degrees. Keeping your AC at these temperatures will help prevent your unit from being overworked, meaning you’ll spend less on costly air conditioning repairs and maintenance services.
However, many residents have issues with these guidelines as they are not ideal for sleeping and leaving their animals at home. It’s important to consider your priorities as a homeowner when it comes to setting your thermostat. Are you more concerned about keeping cool? Or would you rather save on a utility bill? You can experiment with the temperature and raise it 1 degree at a time to see how it affects your comfort.
Tips on How to Help Keep the House A Comfortable Temperature
When it’s hot outside, it’s important to try to keep your air conditioner from getting overworked. Along with setting your thermostat to the suggested temperatures, there are various ways to help keep your home cool and to keep you from relying on your air conditioning in the Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Hutto, and Pflugerville, TX areas.
Upgrade your lighting- Certain light bulbs give off heat and will cause the temperature in your home to rise. By installing LEDs and fluorescent lights, you will use less energy and they give off little to no heat.
Grill more- If it’s nice outside, take advantage of your grill. Cook meals outside and avoid using the stove, microwave, and oven as these appliances will generate more heat in your home.
Keep blinds closed- During the day, it’s important to keep your blinds closed to prevent unwanted heat from entering your home. If you don’t want to close all of the blinds, close at least the west and south-facing windows. This could reduce the temperature in your home by almost 20 degrees.
Complete chores at night- Washers and dryers, as well as dishwashers, tend to generate heat. It’s a great idea to do these chores at night to minimize heating up your house.
Keep interior doors open- By leaving doors open in your home, you are creating better airflow throughout your house. This means it will keep your home cooler.
Programmable thermostat- By installing a programmable thermostat, you can help your AC run more efficiently. You can also program your thermostat to cool your house down right before returning from work.
Change AC filters- Changing your filter every 4-5 weeks helps improve air quality and airflow.
Plant trees- By planting trees and other greenery, you can help shade your home.
Get regular tune-ups- Get air conditioning maintenance and tune-ups at least once a year. This is when an HVAC contractor will find potential problems instead of in the dead of summer.
Insulate ductwork- You can increase the effectiveness of your AC by insulating the air ducts.
Contact Us Today
At Honest Air Conditioning And Plumbing LLC, serving the Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Hutto, and Pflugerville, TX areas, we strive to keep you and your family cool during the summer months. From air conditioning installations to maintenance and repairs, we can help you with all your AC needs. Our professional technicians are available 24/7 to assist with your emergency air conditioning repairs. No problem is too large or too small. For honest prices, top-notch technicians, and all of your HVAC solutions, call us today!
