Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the scorching summer heat hits, everyone runs to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC temp isn’t just about getting comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and limiting your power costs. So, what’s the right temp? The answer is based on your unique demands and the time of day. Explore the best AC thermostat settings when you’re at home, out and when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The optimal daytime, at-home temperature for a home’s air conditioner is 78 degrees. This temperature setting may seem surprisingly high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to help stay comfortable at 78 degrees:

• • Use fans: Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a desk fan, moving air will make the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost pennies on the dollar to run compared to your air conditioning unit.

• • Dress lightly: What you are wearing greatly impacts 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 streaming through the windows can easily heat a room tremendously. To keep your home from becoming a greenhouse, pull out the curtains or blinds to block out the sun, especially during the peak afternoon hours.

• • Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a significant part in controlling your body temperature. Staying hydrated boosts your body’s normal cooling processes.

• • Cook smart: Cooking creates a surprising amount of 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, cook food in 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 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 bills. Installing a programmable thermostat is the quickest strategy to save without sacrificing comfort.

This upgrade allows you to automatically change the temperature at different times of the day or week according to your schedule, reducing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The important part is to use your programmable thermostat in the correct way. Here are some tips for harnessing its full capabilities:

• • Set it and forget it: Schedule your thermostat to automatically turn the temperature up about 30 minutes before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, time the recovery period so a comfortable temperature resumes just 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 AC works the best at steady speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop will not cool your home more rapidly. If you need to, drop the temperature by just one 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, capitalize on its programming capability and extra features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and change the temperature accordingly or be managed remotely for superior comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

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

• • Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime clothing, 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 best option.

• • Run a fan: As it does during the day, a fan can generate a cool breeze in your bedroom at bedtime, making sleep more comfortable.

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

• • Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound strange, but a warm shower really cools you down faster than a cold shower. It does 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.

Finding a compromise between indoor 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 total confidence. Call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the HVAC services you need with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.