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 air conditioner setting isn’t just about keeping comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and limiting your power bills. So, what’s the magic temperature? The answer depends on your particular demands 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 home’s AC is 78 degrees. This amount may seem remarkably high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a couple of tips to help keep your home nice and cool at 78 degrees:

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

• • Dress lightly: What you have on drastically affects your comfort level. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics will help you keep cool during the summer months.

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

• • Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a significant part in managing your body temperature. Making sure you keep yourself hydrated enhances your body’s normal cooling processes.

• • Cook smart: Cooking creates a sizable amount of heat, forcing your HVAC system 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 out on the porch of patio until the weather cools off.

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 strategy experts say can save up to 10 percent on your cooling bills. Buying a programmable thermostat is the simplest strategy to save without relinquishing comfort.

This technology allows you to automatically modify 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 use your programmable thermostat properly. Here are some guidelines for making sure you’re using its full power:

• • Set it and forget it: Configure your thermostat to automatically set the temperature back 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 in the evening.

• • Use the vacation setting: If you’re not going to be home for several days, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to maintain the “away” temperature for days at a time. This prevents excessive heat and humidity buildup without wasting energy to cool an empty house.

• • Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works smoothly and efficiently at steady speeds. Plus, a dramatic 10-degree drop will not cool your home more rapidly. If you have to, lower 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, make the most of its programming capability and enhanced features. Some designs can learn from your behaviors and change the temperature accordingly or be controlled remotely for superior comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to go to bed, the DOE recommends setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your normal setting. However, many people find it tough to sleep in a warm room. This makes getting the right sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can employ several methods to beat the heat while you drift off to sleep:

• • Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime wardrobe, your choice of night clothes affects how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also affect your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the ideal choice.

• • Run a fan: Similar to 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 down 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 truly cools you down more than a cold shower. It works by boosting your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away more quickly.

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 perfect AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you make the most of your air conditioning? Our reliable, cost-effective AC services in the U.S. are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with complete confidence. Call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the top-notch services you need with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.