Arizona’s intense summers can make figuring out the ideal thermostat temperature a real head-scratcher. It’s a constant dance between staying comfortable and avoiding a shocking energy bill. You want to be comfortable, but nobody wants a shocking energy bill at the end of the month either. Finding that sweet spot is a balancing act, that changes with the seasons, both of them. Let’s discover the most optimal settings for your thermostat temperature setting.
Arizona’s Extreme Climate and Your Thermostat
Maintaining the ideal thermostat setting goes far beyond comfort and personal preferences. It touches various crucial aspects of your house, including your heating and cooling system.
Arizona’s climate is famous for its scorching summers and mild winters. Temperatures often soar above 100°F for extended periods during the summer, with temperatures reaching extreme heat levels. This makes managing indoor temperatures challenging. It requires carefully balancing cost, energy efficiency, and comfort.
Ideal Summer Thermostat Settings in Arizona
During Arizona’s brutal summers, air conditioning is your biggest friend. But, running your AC unit non-stop can lead to frozen coils, which ultimately will prevent your AC from working properly, and outrageous utility bills. In addition to doing small things like keeping curtains closed and using ceiling fans, SRP suggests keeping your thermostat between 78 and 80 degrees during the hottest part of the day in the afternoon. For every degree above 80, homeowners can save 3% on costs. Although 78-80°F might feel warm to some, it eases the stress on your AC unit. You’ll be surprised at how it reduces consumption of energy easing those dreaded high bills. A great strategy is using programmable thermostats. You can set it higher when away, then cooler shortly before returning home for better temperature settings. This helps provide both comfort and maximum energy savings while maintaining the ideal thermostat temperature for your home.
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Smart Thermostats: A Smart Solution
Erratic temp change within your home affect bodies in numerous negative aspects, especially during the hotter summer seasons. High heat brings the chance of heat exhaustion and also heat stroke. In contrast, chilling temps increase chances of getting colds and even the flu. Older people or small children may very well be especially susceptible to temperature changes. A smart thermostat gives you better control of your comfort and energy costs. Investing in a smart thermostat is one of the best ways an Arizona homeowner could ensure comfort. This is especially relevant when considering your ideal thermostat temperature. Certain smart thermostats can “learn” and adapt automatically after several weeks of manual input. Adjust the setting warmer while you are away and cooler when you are getting ready to return home, and after some time of doing this, your thermostat will do it for you.
Maximizing Cooling Efficiency
Indoor comfort, it isn’t all just about adjusting the thermostat, though. Simple routines at home help Arizona homeowners mitigate the effects of the brutal summer heat while still saving money on monthly utility bills. Properly insulating your home is a great start. Replacing cheap single pane windows with energy-efficient double pane windows and/or sealing the gaps in your existing windows and doors is a must. Install curtains or blinds; curtains and blinds block off sunlight during the intense parts of the day. It’s quite amazing how cooler a room can stay during the summer, without any need of extra energy output and offering energy efficient solutions. The opposite happens in winter. Just leave blinds or curtains open, then sun would assist warm a house for no added price. Fans, both ceiling fans and portable fans, can also make a difference. Have ceiling fans on while your AC runs for even air distribution. They circulate cool air, improving your indoor environment and helping manage humidity levels. And last but not least, make sure your AC unit gets regular maintenance check-ups as well as clean or replace your filters.
Ideal Winter Thermostat Settings
Winters in Arizona are generally mild, and while nighttime temperatures can dip into the 30s and 40s, you still want a comfortable indoor temperature during this time. Although it’s not nearly as big of a struggle as during summer, your comfort is still important.
Balancing Comfort and Savings
According to Energy.gov, setting back your thermostat about 7 to 10 degrees lower than your desired household temperature for at least 8 hours a day during winter can help lower energy bills. If this feels cool, throw on a sweater or snuggle with a cozy blanket. Insulate your home properly. Seal any drafty windows and doors. Drafts are a leading culprit for losing heat in a room or area. Open your curtains and allow any natural light to heat a room naturally during the day, and keep curtains closed during the evening and when not in use, to help keep the heat in.
Conclusion
Managing the ideal thermostat temperature in Arizona comes down to balancing several things. This balancing act begins with investing in your home by taking the following actions: proper insulation, windows and doors, fan usage, use of curtains and blinds, and proper AC maintenance. During those brutal summer months, find that optimal point of comfort to give both you and your energy bill relief. As the summer ends, the mild winter provides you the comfort of being at ease in layers, even reducing costs since the need for heating is not as prevalent as the need for cooling. Need more info or want to talk about how to make your home more efficient, give us a call and we will come out and help guide you to a more comfortable home.
