Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the blistering summer heat arrives, everyone scrambles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right air conditioning setting isn’t just about getting comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and limiting your utility costs. So, what’s the right number? The answer relies upon on your particular demands and the time of day. Explore the optimal air conditioner temperature range when you’re at home, out or when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The suggested daytime, at-home temperature for your air conditioning is 78 degrees. This amount 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 yourself nice and cool at 78 degrees:

• • Use fans: Whether it is a ceiling fan or a desk fan, flowing air makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost pennies on the dollar to run compared to your air conditioner.

• • Dress lightly: What you have on greatly affects your comfort level. Dressing in 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 can easily heat a room a lot. To prevent your home from becoming a greenhouse, hang curtains or blinds to block out the sun, especially during the peak afternoon hours.

• • Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a big part in regulating your body temperature. Staying hydrated enhances your body’s normal cooling processes.

• • Cook smart: Cooking generates considerable heat, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, so try not to use the oven or stove during the hottest part of the afternoon. Instead, use the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outdoors until the weather isn’t so hot.

The Best AC Temperature While You’re Away

The DOE recommends setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re not going to be home for eight hours, a strategy experts say can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Buying a programmable thermostat is the simplest strategy to save without relinquishing comfort.

This improvement allows you to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day or week based on your schedule, decreasing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The trick is to make use of your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some tips for taking advantage of 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 just as you walk in the door when you return.

• • Use the vacation setting: If you’re away from home for an extended period, 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 to cool an empty house.

• • Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works smoothly and efficiently at consistent speeds. Plus, a big 10-degree drop won’t cool your home more quickly. If you need to, decrease the temperature by a single degree and switch on a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.

• • Leverage smart capabilities: If you choose a smart thermostat, take advantage of its programming capability and extra features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be operated remotely for superior 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, lots of people find it hard to sleep in a hot and stuffy room. This makes achieving the right sleep temperature a struggle. Thankfully, you can try several techniques 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 impacts 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 best option.

• • Run a fan: Similar to during the day, a fan can generate a cool breeze in your bedroom at night, making sleep more comfortable.

• • Open a window: If it cools off at night, take advantage of this by sleeping with the windows open.

• • Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound counterintuitive, but a warm shower actually cools you down more 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.

Finding a compromise between a home’s comfort and energy efficiency is sometimes difficult. Why spend all summer searching for the ideal AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you make the most of your air conditioning? Our trustworthy, cost-effective AC services in the U.S. come with 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.