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Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat hits, everyone scrambles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC setting isn’t just about staying comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and lowering your utility costs. So, what’s the magic temperature? The answer depends on your specific requirements and the time of day. Explore the ideal air conditioning 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 residence’s air conditioning is 78 degrees. This number may seem very high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a couple of tips to help keep yourself cool at 78 degrees:

  • Use fans: Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a desk fan, moving air actually makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost pennies on the dollar to use compared to your air conditioner.
  • Dress lightly: What you wear drastically influences your comfort level. Dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics will help you stay cool when it’s hot outside.
  • Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows will often heat a room a lot. 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: How much water you drink has a big part in controlling your body temperature. Making sure you keep yourself hydrated boosts your body’s self-cooling processes.
  • Cook smart: Cooking produces a surprising amount of heat, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, so avoid using the oven or stove during the hottest part of the afternoon. Instead, use the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outside until the weather cools off.

The Best AC Temperature While You’re Away

The DOE proposes setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re going to be out of the house for eight hours, which can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Buying a programmable thermostat is the quickest way to save without giving up comfort.

This upgrade allows you to automatically modify the temperature at different times of the day or week based on your schedule, decreasing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The important part is to make use of your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some tips for harnessing its full capabilities:

  • Set it and forget it: Set up your thermostat to automatically turn the thermostat up to your away temperature 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 get home.
  • Use the vacation setting: If you’re away from home for several days, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This stops excessive heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy to cool an empty house.
  • Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioner works smoothly and efficiently at consistent speeds. Plus, a big 10-degree drop doesn’t actually cool your home more rapidly. If you have to, lower the temperature by just one degree and start up a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
  • Leverage smart capabilities: If you have a smart thermostat, take advantage of its programming capability and enhanced features. Some models can learn from your behaviors and adapt the temperature accordingly or be managed remotely for exceptional comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to head off to bed, the DOE suggests setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your typical setting. However, a number of people find it difficult to sleep in a warm room. This makes finding the ideal sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can employ several methods to beat the heat while you go to sleep:

  • Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime wardrobe, your choice of night clothes influences 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: Just like 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 off at night, take advantage of this by snoozing with the windows open.
  • Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound odd, but a warm shower really cools you down more than a cold shower. It works by elevating 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 can be challenging. Why spend all summer guessing at the right AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you make the most of your system? Our high-quality, cost-effective AC services in the U.S. are backed by 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.

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