Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat arrives, everyone runs to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC setting isn’t just about keeping comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and decreasing your energy expenses. So, what’s the magic temperature? The answer depends on your distinct requirements and the time of day. Explore the best air conditioning thermostat settings when you’re at home, out and about as well as when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The optimal daytime, at-home temperature for a residence’s AC is 78 degrees. This number may seem very high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a couple of tips to help keep your home 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 pennies on the dollar to run compared to your air conditioner.

• • Dress lightly: What you are wearing drastically impacts your comfort level. Dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you stay cool when it’s hot outside.

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

• • Stay hydrated: Water consumption has a significant part in managing your body temperature. Staying hydrated enhances your body’s natural cooling processes.

• • Cook smart: Cooking produces a surprising amount of heat, forcing your AC to work harder, so don’t use the oven or stove during the hottest part of the afternoon. Instead, make use of 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 advises setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re going to be out of the house for eight hours, a move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Buying a programmable thermostat is the simplest method to save without relinquishing comfort.

This improvement 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 key is to make use of your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some guidelines for taking advantage of its full capabilities:

• • Set it and forget it: Schedule your thermostat to automatically set the temperature back about a half hour before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, set the thermostat to start bringing the temperature back down so a comfortable temperature resumes when you walk in the door when you get home.

• • Use the vacation setting: If you’re not going to be home for an extended period, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to use the “away” temperature for days at a time. This avoids too much heat and humidity buildup without needlessly using energy to run your air conditioner in an empty house.

• • Make gradual adjustments: Your AC works smoothly and efficiently at consistent speeds. Plus, a dramatic 10-degree drop won’t cool your home more rapidly. If you must, lower 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 buy a smart thermostat, make the most of its programming capability and extra features. Some designs can learn from your behaviors and change the temperature accordingly or be operated remotely for exceptional comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time for bed, the DOE suggests setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your typical setting. However, a number of people find it tough to sleep in a hot and stuffy room. This makes finding the ideal 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 night clothes 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 very best solution.

• • Run a fan: As it does 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, make the most 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.

Balancing 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 premium services you need with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.