Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat strikes, everyone scrambles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right air conditioner setting isn’t just about staying comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and limiting your power bills. So, what’s the magic number? The answer relies upon on your particular demands and the time of day. Explore the optimal air conditioning temperatures when you’re at home, away or when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

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

• • Use fans: Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a desk fan, flowing air actually makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost a surprisingly small amount of money to use compared to your air conditioning unit.

• • Dress lightly: What you wear greatly influences your comfort level. Dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you be cool when it’s hot outside.

• • Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows can heat a room significantly. To keep 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 intake plays a big part in managing your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration improves your body’s normal cooling processes.

• • Cook smart: Cooking generates a sizable amount of heat, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, so avoid using the oven or stove during the heat of the afternoon. Instead, cook food in the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill out on the porch of patio until the weather isn’t so hot.

The Best AC Temperature While You’re Away

The DOE advises setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re not home for eight hours, which can save up to 10 percent on your cooling costs. Setting up a programmable thermostat is the easiest method to save without relinquishing comfort.

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

• • Set it and forget it: Set up your thermostat to automatically set the temperature back about half an hour or so 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 not going to be home for a long time, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to maintain the “away” temperature for days at a time. This avoids 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 consistent speeds. Plus, a dramatic 10-degree drop won’t cool your home more rapidly. If you need to, decrease the temperature by just one degree and turn on a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.

• • Leverage smart capabilities: If you buy a smart thermostat, capitalize on its programming capability and enhanced features. Some models can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be controlled remotely for superior comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time for bed, the DOE advises that you should consider setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your typical setting. However, a number of people find it hard to sleep in a hot room. This makes achieving the ideal sleep temperature a struggle. Thankfully, you can use several methods to beat the heat while you go to sleep:

• • Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime attire, your choice of sleepwear influences how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also influence your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the better solution.

• • Run a fan: Just like during the day, a fan can provide a cool breeze in your bedroom at night, making sleep more comfortable.

• • Open a window: If it cools down at night, take advantage of this by going to bed with the windows open.

• • Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound odd, but a warm shower truly 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 your home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. Why spend all summer trying to find the perfect 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 backed 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.