Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat hits, everyone runs to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right air conditioning temperature isn’t just about getting comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and reducing your energy costs. So, what’s the magic number? The answer is based on your specific demands and the time of day. Explore the best AC temperature range when you’re at home, away or when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The suggested daytime, at-home temperature for a residence’s air conditioning is 78 degrees. This amount may seem shockingly high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to help keep your home nice and cool at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether you’re using a ceiling fan or a desk fan, moving air makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost very little to run compared to your AC.
• Dress lightly: What you have on greatly influences your comfort level. Choosing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you keep cool in the summer.
• Block out the sun: Sunlight radiating through the windows will often heat a room a lot. To stop your home from becoming a greenhouse, hang curtains or blinds to block out the sun, at least during the peak afternoon hours.
• Stay hydrated: Water consumption has a huge part in regulating your body temperature. Making sure you keep yourself hydrated boosts your body’s natural cooling processes.
• Cook smart: Cooking produces a sizable amount of heat, forcing your AC to work harder, so try not to use the oven or stove during the hot afternoon. Instead, cook food in the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill out on the porch of patio until the weather gets cooler.

The Best AC Temperature While You’re Away

The DOE advises setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re not going to be home for eight hours, a move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling bills. Buying a programmable thermostat is the simplest way to save without relinquishing comfort.

This upgrade allows you to automatically change the temperature at different times of the day or week depending on your schedule, lowering your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The important part is to make use of your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some guidelines for harnessing its full potential:

• Set it and forget it: Configure your thermostat to automatically set the temperature back about 30 minutes before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, program the schedule so a comfortable temperature resumes as soon as you walk in the door when you return.
• Use the vacation setting: If you’re going to be out of your home for a long time, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This prevents extreme heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy on cooling an empty house.
• Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works the best at steady speeds. Plus, a big 10-degree drop doesn’t actually cool your home more quickly. If you must, drop the temperature by just one degree and start up a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
• Leverage smart capabilities: If you buy a smart thermostat, make the most of its programming capability and enhanced features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be controlled remotely for outstanding comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to go to bed, the DOE suggests setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your normal setting. However, many people find it difficult to sleep in a warm room. This makes achieving the right sleep temperature a real challenge. Thankfully, you can employ several methods to beat the heat while you drift off to sleep:

• Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime attire, your choice of pajamas affects how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also can be a factor in your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the better choice.
• Run a fan: Just like during the day, a fan can generate a cool breeze in your bedroom in the evening, making sleep more comfortable.
• Open a window: If it cools down at night, reap the benefits of this by snoozing with the windows open.
• Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound counterintuitive, but a warm shower actually cools you down faster than a cold shower. It achieves this by increasing your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away more rapidly.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in the U.S.

Striking a balance between indoor comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. Why spend all summer guessing at the ideal AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you make the most of your air conditioning? Our high-quality, cost-effective AC services in the U.S. are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with absolute confidence. Call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the HVAC services you need with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.