Now that it’s summertime, finding the optimal thermostat settings is more important than you may realize.

If your goal is to maximize energy savings while still ensuring comfort, the Department of Energy recommends 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home. 

While you’re away at work, it advises turning it up by 7 to 10 degrees to around 85 to 88 degrees. And when you’re catching some shut-eye, 82 degrees is ideal.

While HVAC experts agree these warmer settings can save you some cash on energy bills, they say that the right thermostat settings ultimately depend on your lifestyle and family needs.

“The advice is grounded in energy science and data, so it’s a good rule of thumb to follow. But it’s also important to understand that every household is different.

For example, elderly clients often keep their home much warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer.

The DOE’s recommendations are based purely on energy savings, not personal preferences or needs,” says Jimmy Campbell, HVAC expert at Townsend in Danvers, MA.

Why thermostat settings matter

The thermostat temps you choose this summer can have a significant impact on your energy bills.

“The smaller the gap between the indoor temperature and outdoor temperature, the less your system needs to run and less energy it needs to consume,” Campbell explains.

When you turn the thermostat up by 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away and program it to go back down just before you get home, the system doesn’t have to work too hard or too long to get to the ideal temperature.

When it comes to sleeping, everyone is a little different. If you don’t mind warmer temps, 82 degrees is a good setting.

“Adjusting to 82 degrees at bedtime rather than 78 degrees will allow you to sleep comfortably while saving on energy costs. When the thermostat kicks back to 78 degrees in the morning, there’s only a 4-degree difference to make up,” adds Campbell. 

If you prefer a much cooler bedroom for sleep, don’t hesitate to turn the thermostat down a bit. After all, your sleep quality matters and is oftentimes worth the slightly higher energy bill.

How to stay cool at these higher settings 

Several strategies can help you keep your home cool and comfortable this summer, even at these higher thermostat settings, including the following: 

Turn on the ceiling and floor fans

Fans can keep the air circulating. 

“Moving air feels cooler, so even though a fan won’t actually lower the temperature, you can set your thermostat to 80 degrees and pair it with fans to make it feel like it’s 78 degrees,” explains Campbell.

Use blackout curtains 

Hang them up on windows that get direct sunlight. 

“Blocking out that heat during the hottest part of the day will help keep your home cooler overall and will prevent your system from running more than necessary,” Campbell says.

Change your air filters

Swap out old filters for new ones every 30 to 90 days. 

“A dirty filter will restrict airflow and make your system work harder, so keeping it clean will help your system work as efficiently as possible,” Campbell adds.

Be mindful of when you cook

Try not to use your oven or stovetop during the hottest parts of the day. 

“Do as much cooking as you can in the early morning or later evening when it’s much cooler so your system doesn’t have to work overtime to keep up,” explains Campbell. 

Use a DIY ice bucket fan

This is where you fill a bucket of ice, get a fan, plug the fan in, put the ice bucket in front of the fan, and let it create cold air.

Campbell recommends this trick for smaller rooms, as it can create some extra direct cold air.