In the heat of the summer, it’s tempting to run the air conditioning full blast 24/7. However, that’s not exactly environmentally friendly – or easy on your wallet. So what to do? How can you find that happy medium: an A/C temperature that will keep your home comfortably cool without turning you into an energy hog?

Try the Energy Star Recommendation

Energy Star recommends running your air conditioner at no lower than 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 Celsius) to maximum your home’s energy efficiency (which, in dollars and cents, translates to lowered electricity costs). This is very close to the national average high temperature for the month of May – in other words, a pleasant spring day.

Find What’s Comfortable for You

Experiment with keeping your thermostat at the recommended 78-degree low for several days as you and your household go about your regular activities. How comfortable are you? Could you live with turning up the HVAC a few more degrees? Alternatively, do you have a family member who cannot tolerate high temperatures due to a medical condition? (People with multiple sclerosis, for instance, frequently find their symptoms worsen in the heat.)

Give Your HVAC a Helping Hand

Should you have a really hard time with an indoor temperature of 78 F, before you reach for the A/C remote there are a few more tips to try out. Give your HVAC system a boost with an electric fan or two (preferably ceiling mounted). These low-energy devices will help the chilled air to circulate and draw hot air upwards, leaving you feeling cooler.

Painting your home a pale color that reflects the sun’s rays and shading sunny windows with shutters, blinds, or heavy drapes will play a part in reducing interior temperatures. Proper insulation benefits you in summer and winter alike, by limiting the amount of outside air that gets into the house.

You can also help out your cooling system by using other appliances wisely. Run the dryer in off-peak hours (or take advantage of the sun’s free energy and hang your clothes to dry!). Similarly, use your stove early in the morning – for example, to bake chicken or vegetables to be served cold at suppertime. Or enjoy some energy-conserving summer fun by hosting an outdoor barbecue!

Live with the Season

Especially if you are living in, say, Georgia, or another southern state, chances are you will be tempted to turn the temperature down to the lowest your Atlanta HVAC will go. However, there are more eco-friendly ways to stay cool. Live with the season by dressing appropriately – in loose clothing made of natural fabrics like cotton or linen. Even if you have to wear a suit for work, changing into casual summer outfits as soon as you get home will make you more physically comfortable and also send a subliminal message that it’s time to relax.

Be sure to drink plenty of water and other liquids, while going easy on sugary, caffeinated beverages. This will not only keep you cooler, it’ll also keep you from getting dehydrated.

Program Your Thermostat

Programmable thermostats come with several settings (usually Wake Up, Leave, Return, and Sleep) that allow you to choose different temperatures according to your needs at various times of the day. The air conditioning will work more efficiently – that is, at high speed – and dehumidify effectively when you’re at home and awake, yet conserve energy during your work hours and at night.

Take Care of Your Cooling System

Take care of your air conditioner and it will take care of you. Schedule regular HVAC service checkups to make sure it is running optimally. Clean the blower component and the evaporator and condenser coils every year, and the filter once a month when the air conditioning is in heavy use. Make sure that the system is using refrigerant fluid at a normal  rate. If your system is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace it with a more energy-efficient model. Shop for one with the Energy Star.

Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.