Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the blistering summer heat strikes, everyone runs to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC setting isn’t just about getting comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and decreasing your power expenses. So, what’s the right number? The answer relies upon on your distinct needs and the time of day. Explore the best air conditioning temperatures when you’re at home, out as well as when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

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

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

• • Dress lightly: What you wear significantly affects your comfort level. Choosing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics can help you stay cool in the summer.

• • Block out the sun: Sunlight beaming through the windows can heat a room tremendously. To stop your home from becoming a greenhouse, draw the curtains or blinds to block out the sun, especially during the peak afternoon hours.

• • Stay hydrated: How much water you drink has a huge part in managing your body temperature. Staying hydrated improves your body’s normal cooling processes.

• • Cook smart: Cooking produces considerable heat, forcing your AC 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 gets cooler.

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 move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling bills. Buying a programmable thermostat is the quickest method to save without relinquishing comfort.

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

• • Set it and forget it: Configure your thermostat to automatically turn the temperature up about a half hour before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, time the recovery period 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 several days, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This avoids too much heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy to cool an empty house.

• • Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioner works most efficiently at regular speeds. Plus, a dramatic 10-degree drop will not cool your home more quickly. If you have to, lower the temperature by only one degree and switch on a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.

• • Leverage smart capabilities: If you have a smart thermostat, take advantage of its programming capability and advanced features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and change the temperature accordingly or be controlled remotely for exceptional comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to head off to 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 warm room. This makes achieving the suitable sleep temperature a real challenge. Thankfully, you can try several strategies to beat the heat while you are trying to sleep:

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

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

• • Open a window: If it cools off at night, reap the benefits of this by going to bed with the windows open.

• • Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound counterintuitive, but a warm shower actually cools you down better than a cold shower. It achieves this by boosting 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.

Balancing your home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. Why spend all summer trying to find the right AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you make the most of your home cooling technology? Our high-quality, cost-effective AC services in the U.S. are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with total confidence. Call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the premium services you need with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.