Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the scorching summer heat hits, everyone hustles 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 limiting your energy expenses. So, what’s the right temp? The answer depends on your particular requirements and the time of day. Explore the ideal air conditioner thermostat settings when you’re at home, out and about or when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The optimal daytime, at-home temperature for your air conditioning is 78 degrees. This amount may seem shockingly high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to help keep yourself comfortable at 78 degrees:

• • Use fans: Whether you’re using a ceiling fan or a desk fan, flowing air makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost very little to run compared to your air conditioning unit.

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

• • Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows will often heat a room tremendously. To keep your home from becoming a greenhouse, hang curtains or blinds to block out the sun, especially during the peak afternoon hours.

• • Stay hydrated: Water consumption has a huge part in controlling your body temperature. Making sure you keep yourself hydrated improves your body’s normal cooling processes.

• • Cook smart: Cooking produces a surprising amount of heat, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, so try not to use the oven or stove during the hot afternoon. Instead, make use of 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 going to be out of the house for eight hours, a strategy experts say can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Buying a programmable thermostat is the quickest method to save without relinquishing comfort.

This upgrade allows you to automatically change 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 utilize your programmable thermostat in the correct way. Here are some guidelines for taking advantage of its full capabilities:

• • Set it and forget it: Configure your thermostat to automatically turn the thermostat up to your away temperature about half an hour or so before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, program the schedule so a comfortable temperature resumes when you walk in the door in the evening.

• • 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 excessive heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy to run your air conditioner in an empty house.

• • Make gradual adjustments: Your AC works most efficiently at regular speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop will not cool your home more rapidly. If you must, decrease the temperature by only one degree and start up 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 advanced features. Some models can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be controlled remotely for outstanding comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time for 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 hot room. This makes finding the ideal sleep temperature a problem. 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 sleepwear impacts how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also influence your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the better option.

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

• • Open a window: If it gets cooler at night, reap the benefits of this by sleeping with the windows open.

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

Striking a balance between a home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be challenging. Why spend all summer trying to find the ideal AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you make the most of your home cooling technology? Our trustworthy, cost-effective AC services in the U.S. come with 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.