According to The U.S. Department of Energy, the most efficient settings are 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. This keeps your indoor temperatures at safe and comfortable levels while using as little energy as possible. For a two-story home, this will translate to 78 degrees upstairs and 80 degrees downstairs in the summer.
How do you set the thermostat on a two story house?
The general rule of thumb for a two-story home is that you should set each thermostat two degrees Fahrenheit apart from the other. During the summer, when your AC is running, set the upper floor at the temperature you actually want in your home. Then set each floor underneath that to two degrees warmer.
What is the best setting for my thermostat in the summer?
What is the best setting for your thermostat in the summer to maximize efficiency and coolness? When you're home, the recommended temperature is 78 degrees F, and when you're away, the ideal temperature is 7 to 10 degrees F higher. Find out more energy-saving tips for summer from Direct Energy!
What temperature should I Set my thermostat on the second floor?
If you have a three-story home, go down to the second floor and set the second thermostat two degrees cooler, for 74 degrees. On the ground floor of a three-story home, again set the thermostat for two degrees less — now 72. Cold air will gradually sink across the different levels of your home.
Should you have more than one thermostat in Your House?
With one zone (and one thermostat) you have to accept more differentiation in temperature throughout the house – and you might end up carrying the thermostat around with you to optimise the temperature where you are! And the solution?
Should upstairs thermostat be set higher than downstairs?
Here's what you do: set your upstairs thermostat to your desired temperature goals, and then set your downstairs unit to be two degrees warmer. For most homes, this naturally encourages a temperature balance that's comfortable and right at your desired temperature goals.04-Jun-2018
What is the most efficient thermostat setting for summer?
78 degreesDaily Summer Temperature Recommendations The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home during the day in the summer. The closer you can stay to the outdoor temperature, the less energy is required to cool your home.
How do you regulate heat in a two story house?
Some common reasons that your second floor is too hot include:Hot Air. Keep in mind, that heat rises. ... Hot Roof. ... Ductwork, Insulation and Seals. ... Redirect airflow to the second floor. ... Change filters. ... Insulate and ventilate the attic. ... Insulate windows. ... Change the fan setting on your thermostat from "auto" to "on"
How cool should my house be if it's 100 outside?
How cool should my house be if it's 100° outside? The majority of air conditioning units are designed to only cool the air about 20 degrees from the outside temperature. If the temperatures outside are approaching triple digits, you should set your thermostat at about 78°.
Is 78 too hot for a house?
Any time you're awake and at home during the summer, the ideal thermostat temperature is 78 degrees. This home temperature for energy efficiency lowers your cooling bills by 12 percent compared to keeping it at 74 degrees. If you're afraid 78 degrees is too warm, remember to dress for the season.13-Apr-2017
What should my AC be set on in summer?
While you ultimately must decide what temperature you feel comfortable at, the US Department of Energy and Energy Star suggest that the best AC temperature is 78°F for summer days.
How do you cool a two-story house?
How Do I Keep My Home's Second Floor Cool?Install an Attic Fan or Vent. ... Keep Your Doors Open. ... Keep Blinds and Drapes Closed. ... Partially Close First-Floor Registers. ... Turn the Fan From "Auto" to "On" ... Install Ceiling Fans. ... Service Your Air Conditioner Before Summer Starts. ... Check Your Filters Regularly.More items...•18-Jun-2021
Where should a thermostat be placed in a two-story house?
For a two-story house, the thermostat should be placed on the first floor fairly high up onto the wall. Keeping it into the most central part of the whole house helps keep the temperature the most regulated.13-Jul-2020
Why is my upstairs so hot even with AC?
Blame physics: hot air rises while cold air sinks. That means your upstairs typically gets hotter than your lower levels, even if your air conditioner's working in overdrive. Your roof's hot, too: Unless you have shady tree cover, your roof absorbs a ton of heat from the sun.
Is 80 degrees too hot for a house in summer?
Best House Temperature While Away: 55–80 degrees In general, it's safe to increase indoor temperature up to 80 degrees in summer and decrease indoor air temperature to 55 degrees in winter, but there are exceptions - for example, if you live with a baby or an elderly or immune-compromised individual.
Is it OK for AC to run all day?
The constant running of your AC unit will reduce pressure in the evaporator, or cooling coil until it freezes over, according to Cool Today. This is why in some cases, this constant running can be dangerous. The freezing of the coil can cause liquid refrigerant to flood back into the unit's compressor and damage it.
Why is my house getting hotter with AC on?
Air leaks and poor insulation are a common cause for making your house feel hot, even when the AC is working, as they can allow the air your air conditioner has worked so hard to cool to escape, leaving your house hot. Humidity can interfere with your thermostat's ability to track temperatures and also traps heat.
What happens if the thermostat is set lower?
If the upstairs is set lower it will try to cool the whole house in a losing battle, as it basically becomes the downstairs attic. That’s according to Fort Worth-based Poe Air. The best thermostat settings for winter are very different, of course.
How to keep your thermostat cool?
Ways to Stay Cool Inside Without Lowering the Thermostat 1 Dress appropriately for the outside weather, even if you are inside. If you’re too hot, put on a pair of shorts instead of adjusting the temperature. 2 Close the blinds to keep out the sun and heat. Consider investing in thermal window film for windows that face south. These can block UV light and keep your home cooler. 3 Use ceiling fans. Data shows that ceiling fans can make a room feel up to 4 degrees cooler. (One of our team tried the 76 ° setting and fan approach. And needed a sweater because it was too cold in her office. It works.) 4 Position your home office in the right place. If you’re working from home, your electricity bills are 8-10% higher than normal. One tip? Keeping your office on the north side of your home can help you stay cool. Your office will be on the side of your house with the least sun exposure.
What temperature should I set my air conditioner to in the summer?
Department of Energy recommends 78° as the best temperature setting for your air conditioner during the daytime. And 82° for sleeping in the summer.
How to sleep with the temperature really cold?
If you like to sleep with the temperature really cold, and don’t work from home, consider a free nights electricity plan . If you have a 2-story home and 2+ air conditioner units, set your thermostat so the air conditioners don’t fight with each other all day. Set the downstairs a degree or two below the upstairs.
How to stay cool inside without changing thermostat?
Dress appropriately for the outside weather, even if you are inside. If you’re too hot, put on a pair of shorts instead of adjusting the temperature.
How to keep your office cool?
You also want to make sure that your A/C is running efficiently. Some ways to make sure you keep your A/C running cold include: Change your air filter monthly.
Can you control a Nest thermostat remotely?
To manage your thermostat, we recommend a programmable thermostat, preferably a wifi version that you can control remotely. A Nest learning thermostat is a good option, as is the ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control. Texas consumers can choose an electricity plan with free smart thermostat.
Split Your System into Multiple Zones
Zoned HVAC is common in commercial buildings, and growing more common in residential applications. Although commercial setups may use more than one air conditioning unit, it is possible to create multiple zones in a home with only one unit.
Energy Saving Tips for Non-Zoned Multi-Story Homes
What if you can’t afford to modify your system for zoned control, or your home isn’t a good candidate for it? There are still ways you can set your thermostat in a multi-story home to try and save energy. The right strategy uses a combination of strategic thermostat settings and other measures to keep rooms cool. Keep these tips in mind:
The Best Thermostat Settings for Effective Summer Cooling
With a zoned system, you can easily find energy-saving tips that are easy to apply. Your goal is to create a flow of cool air throughout your home that allows for a roughly equal temperature from top to bottom throughout the day. Here’s how to do it:
Saving Money in the Winter with Thermodynamics
Remember from physics class that heat rises? Higher temperatures always prefer to flow towards lower temperatures. You can use this principle in tandem with the reverse of the strategy described above. In other words, set your ground floor to your ideal temperature, then decrease the setting two or three degrees as you go higher.
Experiment to Find the Optimal Settings for Your Home
All energy-saving tips are ultimately subject to the differences that make every home unique. A temperature setting that works for one home may not work for another that has a different thermal profile.
How to keep your home cool all summer long?
Follow these simple tips to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long: Hang up window treatments that block sunlight and prevent heat from entering through your windows. Install fresh or replace old weatherstripping and caulk around doors and windows to keep your home sealed.
How to reduce heat in summer?
Limit use of appliances that generate heat, like the oven and stove, until after 8pm. In the summer, try to grill outside as much as possible. Install ceiling fans to increase cooling efficiency. Replace cooling units with energy-efficient models.
How to get a good night's sleep in summer?
This suggests one tactic to help enjoy a good night's sleep during the summer is to raise your thermostat to a warmer setting, say 80F, while using lighter bedding and sleepwear. You can also help yourself drift off by using a ceiling fan to gently waft a breeze down onto your bed.
Does air conditioning help with energy bills?
Simply put – the lower you set your thermostat in the summer, the higher your energy bills will be.
Can you raise the temperature of your thermostat?
Although raising your thermostat's temperature while away can mean serious savings, few people remember to change the temperature settings every time they enter and leave the house. Fortunately, a smart or programmable thermostat can take on that job for you, ensuring that you live in a comfortable setting without missing out on any opportunity for savings. Programmable thermostats allow you to set different temperatures based on factors like the time of day, when you're home and when the house is empty, and then forget about it.
Does humidity make you hot?
However, as humidity rises, the increased water vapor in the air makes it more and more difficult for your sweat to evaporate, leaving you even hotter even while you're drenched in moisture. As an example, an 80F day feels like 80F when the relative humidity is 40 percent, but an 80F day with 90 percent humidity has a "heat index" of 86F, ...
Can electricity bills increase in summer?
Read our guide on why your electricity bill may increase in the summer. Staying comfortable while keeping utility costs reasonable in the summer is tricky, but it's not impossible. Sign up for an electricity plan with Direct Energy and you'll get the tools you need to track your usage and stay energy-efficient.
How far apart should thermostats be in a multistory house?
When setting a thermostat in a multi-story home, you need to think about whether you are going to be running your air conditioner or your heater. Then you need to take into account your desired temperature setting for your home. The general rule of thumb for a two-story home is that you should set each thermostat two degrees Fahrenheit apart ...
How many degrees apart should a thermostat be?
The general rule of thumb for a two-story home is that you should set each thermostat two degrees Fahrenheit apart from the other. During the summer, when your AC is running, set the upper floor at the temperature you actually want in your home. Then set each floor underneath that to two degrees warmer. This gives the upstairs rooms ...
How to get a cold downstairs and hot upstairs?
Start by setting your thermostat downstairs to your desired temperature. Then set the upstairs thermostat to a two-degree cooler setting. The extra heat downstairs will combat the cold ...
Why is my thermostat running constantly?
The fact that height affects temperatures so much can lead to all sorts of problems. If your thermostats are set incorrectly, you’re upstairs may often be blazing hot while your downstairs is freezing cold. Both your heater and your air conditioner may end up running almost constantly.
How hot is a 2 story house?
For a two-story home, this will translate to 78 degrees upstairs and 80 degrees downstairs in the summer. During winter, you can go with 66 degrees upstairs and 68 degrees downstairs. In three-story homes, the most energy-efficient settings ...
What temperature should a thermostat be?
According to The U.S. Department of Energy, the most efficient settings are 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. This keeps your indoor temperatures at safe and comfortable levels while using as little energy as possible. ...
What happens when you set the thermostat to the same temperature?
If you set all thermostats to the same temperature, your upper story air conditioner will work overtime in the summer while all your cold air will fall to the lower levels.
The Impact of Multiple Floors on Home Comfort
Many homeowners get into the habit of setting thermostats for each floor of a multi-story home to the same temperature preference. The problem with doing this is the way warm and cool air travels. Hotter air naturally goes up, and cooler air settles to the lower areas of your home.
The Two-Degree Rule for Two-Story Homes
A good way to go about setting your thermostat for a two-story home is to use the two-degree rule as a guide. In a nutshell, this means you'll set each thermostat for each floor two degrees Fahrenheit apart from the other floor levels.
Setting Your Thermostat During the Summer
In the summertime, set the thermostat for the upper floor at the temperature you prefer. The lower floor thermostat is then set two degrees lower. What this does is avoid unnecessary cooling of the lower floor in your home since it's already naturally on the cool side. Plus, you won't have to worry about having a chilly downstairs on hotter days.
Setting Your Thermostat During the Winter
Do the process in reverse during the winter months. Set the thermostat on the lowest floor in your home to your desired temperature setting. The upper floor thermostat is then set two degrees lower. The extra heat generated downstairs will naturally gravitate upwards to make up for the slight variation in temperature settings.
More Than Two Stories? Use the One-Degree Rule
If you have more than two stories in your home, go with a one-degree difference between floors instead of two. And if you have a finished basement, ignore this space and start with the main lower floor, where your home's primary entrance is located. Set the thermostat for the basement in a way that's comfortable for that space.
Recommended Temperature
According to the Department of Energy, the most efficient home temperature setting is 78 degrees Fahrenheit for the warmer months of the year and 68 degrees for the cooler months. On especially hot or cold days, you can always bump up the difference between floors to 4-5 degrees but don't shut off the thermostat completely.
Call Us Today
Master Mechanical is the company to call on for all of your home comfort-related concerns and needs. With thermostats, our technicians can check the accuracy of your settings or discuss smart thermostat options if you're ready for an upgrade from a standard thermostat.
Thermodynamics 101: Heat Rises
It has probably been a while since you took a science class, so you might not remember that heat always rises. The nature of heat is movement and expansion, so the heated air molecules push their way upwards as the colder air contracts and sinks.
HVAC Zoning: Multiple Thermostats for Multiple Stories
First things first, you should have a thermostat that controls each floor of your multi-story property. If you do not, then guaranteeing climate control on the floor without the thermostat – typically the top floor – will be unlikely.
Why Not Set Every Floor to the Same Temperature?
You could technically set each floor’s thermostat to your desired temperature, but this is not advised. Your upper or lower floors – depending on the season – will constantly be battling against the elements to stay cool or warm. All throughout the day, your air conditioner or heater will be running and running.
Remember That Heat Rises
As everyone learns in high school, heat rises. More correctly, warm air rises. This means the warm air on the first story of your house will rise to the floors above it, making them warmer. For this reason, you need a thermostat on each floor of your residence.
Thermostat Settings in the Summer
In the summer, you want to set the thermostat on the highest floor in your house to your desired temperature. You will then set the thermostats two degrees cooler as you make your way to the lowest floor in your residence.
Winter Thermostat Settings
You will want to take the opposite approach in the winter. Set the first floor’s thermostat to your desired temperature, and then decrease the temperature setting on your thermostats by two degrees as you go up. Warm air on the first floor will rise and make the upper floors more comfortable.