With summer highs regularly in the 90s, reliable AC is essential for a comfortable Georgia home. We’ll explore the best AC temperature for energy savings, as well as tips and tricks for keeping cool all summer long. We’ll also take a look at options for new AC and thermostat installation, repairs, and maintenance to keep your AC running smoothly.
What’s the Best AC Temperature for Georgia Homes?
The best recommended AC setting for Georgia homes is between 75 and 78 degrees. This strikes the perfect balance between comfort and energy efficiency, keeping you cool while saving money on your utility bills. You may want to opt for a slightly cooler temperature if you’re active in the home and increase your AC setting when you’re away.
Energy-Saving AC Settings for Summer
Try these energy-saving AC settings to keep your home comfortable while managing your energy bill.
Keep a consistent indoor setting
Rather than turning the AC up and down, find a setting that works for you and keep the AC consistent while you’re home. A good recommended point for the best summer AC temperature is 78 degrees, which keeps your home comfortable while still saving energy.
Turn down the AC when you’re away
If you plan to be away from home for more than four hours, it’s efficient to turn the AC up. Try setting it to around 82 degrees for a day out, or higher (or even turning it off) if you’re out of town for a few days.
Try a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats are a convenient way to set daytime, night time, and away temperatures without having to constantly adjust the thermostat. For example, if you work regular hours away from home, you can set the thermostat to turn down the AC while you’re at work and turn it back on just before you get home.
Smart thermostats are another handy option for custom temperature settings. These thermostats automatically adjust to their environment, finding the optimal AC setting depending upon the number of people in the home and other factors.
How Georgia’s Humidity Impacts Thermostat Settings
Summers in Atlanta have an average humidity of 66%, which is generally considered high. High humidity makes the air feel several degrees warmer than the actual temperature, which can make it appealing to turn up the AC.
If you’re looking to stay cool while saving energy, you may want to consider a dehumidifier. This can reduce the feeling of heat in your home without needing to increase your air conditioning.
Tips to Stay Cool Without Lowering the Thermostat
Explore these tips for staying cool without increasing your air conditioning use.
Use fans
Ceiling fans and portable fans are a great way to circulate cool air through your home. They work well on their own or with your AC, with many homeowners choosing to increase their AC temperature by two degrees when using a fan. For extra cooling power, make sure ceiling fans are turned on in a counter-clockwise direction.
Note that fans help you feel cool while you’re in the room, but they don’t add any cooling power to an empty space. When you leave a room, turn off the fan to save power.
Insulate your home
Preventing hot air from entering your home is key to staying cool. Proper home insulation, as well as covering gaps along doors and windows, can help keep your house comfortable. You may also want to consider energy-efficient upgrades like Energy Star windows, which reduce heat transfer. This helps keep your home cool in summer, warm in winter, and reduces your utility costs.
Minimize heat sources
On toasty summer days, avoid using indoor appliances that generate heat. Consider line-drying clothes rather than using the dryer, or cooking on the barbecue rather than in the oven. The oven is a major heat source, so even opting for meals cooked on the stovetop can help reduce excess heat.
Open windows at night
If the night is comfortably cool, consider turning off the AC and opening the windows. This also helps air out your home and improve indoor air quality.
Choose temperature-blocking blinds
Sunlight is a major source of heat in many homes. In addition to blocking visual light, blackout and temperature blinds can prevent heat from entering your home.
When to Call for Professional HVAC Help
From an air conditioner that isn’t cooling your home to bad smells when you turn on the AC, it’s important to call a pro if something’s wrong in your air conditioning system. If you notice any of the following issues, it’s a good idea to call for professional HVAC help:
Inadequate cooling
If your AC isn’t delivering the cooling power you need, the first step is to check that the thermostat is set properly and that there’s no furniture blocking the vents. However, if the issue persists, an AC expert can diagnose and repair the problem.
Bad AC smells
If you’re turning on the AC for the first time this season, you might find it comes with a new smell. A mild smell that quickly disappears may just be dust that gets removed by the air filter, but if the smell persists it may require a pro.
A musty smell can indicate mold growth inside your AC, which can impact your indoor air quality. A burning smell can mean a mechanical problem which poses a fire risk, while a sweet, chemical odor may be a refrigerant leak. Burning smells and refrigerant leaks are both a significant health risk, so if you smell this it’s important to turn off the AC, evacuate, and call a technician immediately.
Loud noises
When your AC is working properly, it often produces a low and gentle sound. However, if you hear any new noises such as clunking, whining, or screeching, it’s time for an AC inspection. These can indicate a broken component inside your AC, which can impact other parts and lead to costly repairs if not addressed promptly.
Inconsistent room temperatures
If you’ve noticed that some rooms are colder than others when you turn on the AC, it may be time for a tune-up. Inconsistent room temperatures may be caused by a variety of air conditioner issues, including blocked air ducts, a faulty thermostat, or an AC unit that’s the wrong size for your home.
Call Ricky Heath for AC Solutions in Georgia
Looking for professional AC services in Georgia? At Ricky Heath, we serve the greater Macon area with air conditioning installations, repairs, and maintenance. Whether you’re looking to install a new energy-efficient AC or fixing up a broken unit, our team is on hand with expert knowledge and great customer service. Contact us today to book your appointment and keep your Georgia home cool and comfortable.
