Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the blistering summer heat hits, everyone hustles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC temp isn’t just about keeping comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and reducing your power costs. So, what’s the magic temperature? The answer relies upon on your distinct requirements and the time of day. Explore the optimal air conditioner thermostat settings when you’re at home, away as well as when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The suggested daytime, at-home temperature for your AC is 78 degrees. This number may seem very high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to help stay cool at 78 degrees:

• • Use fans: Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a desk fan, moving 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 are wearing significantly impacts your comfort level. Dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you keep cool during the summer months.

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

• • Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a huge part in controlling your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration enhances your body’s self-cooling processes.

• • Cook smart: Cooking generates a surprising amount of heat, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, so don’t use the oven or stove during the hottest part of the afternoon. Instead, use the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill out on the porch of patio 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 strategy experts say can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Installing a programmable thermostat is the simplest strategy to save without sacrificing 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 important part is to use your programmable thermostat properly. Here are some recommendations for making sure you’re using its full power:

• • Set it and forget it: Configure your thermostat to automatically turn the temperature up 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 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 keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This stops too much heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy to cool an empty house.

• • Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works most efficiently at consistent speeds. Plus, a big 10-degree drop will not cool your home more quickly. 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 buy a smart thermostat, capitalize on its programming capability and advanced features. Some designs can learn from your behaviors and adapt the temperature accordingly or be managed remotely for superior comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time for bed, the DOE recommends setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your typical setting. However, many people find it difficult to sleep in a hot room. This makes achieving the suitable sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can try several methods to beat the heat while you drift off 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 influence your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the very best solution.

• • Run a fan: Similar to during the day, a fan can provide a cool breeze in your bedroom at bedtime, 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 strange, but a warm shower actually cools you down more than a cold shower. It achieves this by increasing your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away faster.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in the U.S.

Finding a compromise between your home’s comfort and energy efficiency is sometimes difficult. Why spend all summer trying to find the perfect 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. are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with absolute confidence. Call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the top-notch services you need with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.