It might sound far-fetched, but changing the setting of your thermostat by just a few degrees can make all the difference in the world when it comes to utility bills and getting a good night’s sleep.
If you had to guess, what would you say the perfect room temperature is?
If you guessed 72 degrees, then you have the same idea as most American households.
The thing about 72 degrees is that it’s actually not the recommended temperature for a comfortable, energy-efficient home.
The general rule of thumb, instead, is that thermostats should be set to 78 degrees in the summer months and 68 degrees during cooler months. If these numbers sound a bit off, let us explain.
Moisture In The Air
Humidity matters as much to home comfort as the temperature does. If you live in a humid climate, you’re more likely to feel hot. So, even if a home is set to 72 degrees, humidity will make it feel potentially uncomfortable. The science behind this phenomenon involves humidity binding moisture to your skin. With this layer of moisture, you feel clammy and sticky. As a result, you generally crank up the AC to cool down.
In dry climates, a household is more likely to feel cold. In a home set to 72 degrees, low humidity will make it feel potentially cold. As a result, you crank up the heat.
Instead of adjusting temperature in response to feeling hot or cold, it actually makes more sense to adjust humidity levels. In humid climates, adding a dehumidifier can help your home feel more comfortable. In dryer climates like ours in El Monte, adding a humidifier will help to regulate your home’s comfort.
Energy Efficiency and Utilities
While humidity plays a large role in comfort, the temperature of your thermostat is still imperative to your home’s environment — and its effect on the environment.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, households can save up to 10 percent on utility bills if they enact a few simple HVAC techniques. For one, turning the thermostat back 7 degrees is shown to have a tremendous effect on lowering utility bills without interfering with your home’s comfort.
If there’s any Goldilocks number in HVAC, it’s 7 degrees.
If you normally keep your house at 70 degrees all year round, consider adjusting it to 77 degrees in the summer and 63 degrees in the winter.
This temperature might seem frigid, but you can at least set a programmable thermostat to turn the AC or heat down when you’re out of the house. The important idea is to think beyond 72 degrees.
About Cool City Air Conditioning in El Monte
To make sure your AC and HVAC systems are running properly in Los Angeles or El Monte, work with Cool City Air Conditioning. Our Top Rated Local® HVAC repair company can maintain air conditioning units, install air filters, and recommend whole-home purifiers.
Schedule HVAC repair or AC installation today with our local HVAC company in the El Monte and Los Angeles areas.
