When summer arrives and temperatures start to rise, you turn on your cooling system to make your indoor environment comfortable. However, air conditioning units typically consume a great deal of energy.
While some AC units perform more efficiently than others, AC-related energy savings primarily come down to the AC temperature settings. So, what temperature should an AC be set at?
As the go-to AC repair experts in Bainbridge, GA, the Cooper’s Plumbing & Air crew delves deeper into the optimal thermostat settings for an AC.
The Best AC Temperature for Energy Saving
When heat and humidity make your indoor environment uncomfortable, you’ll naturally want to set the thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature setting. But if you want to save energy, the Department of Energy recommends adjusting your thermostat and AC settings depending on the time of day and whether you’re home or away.
The DOE recommends setting the thermostat at 78° Fahrenheit when at home and about 7-10° higher when you’re away. Generally, you’ll receive a higher energy savings percentage when you set the thermostat closer to the outdoor temperature.
Turning the AC off might seem tempting, but it might cost you more because of the extra energy the AC unit will need to lower the temperatures back down to the comfort zone. Determining the ideal temperature setting for you will require some experimentation with different settings.
However, your priorities matter, too. Are you more interested in comfort, lower bills, or both? The number of people in your home, the number of windows, humidity levels, and the amount of direct sunlight can also affect the best temperature setting for your AC unit.
Ultimately, the best AC temperature setting for your home is one that keeps you and your family comfortable while staying on budget.
Maintaining Home Comfort While Saving Energy
When it comes to energy efficiency, you can conserve energy with your air conditioner through the following simple steps:
Consider Investing in a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats allow you to create a pre-set schedule, eliminating the hassle of having to adjust the thermostat continuously based on your schedule and the time of day. You can also set your programmable thermostat to warm up or cool down your home before you wake up or return home.
Use Ceiling Fans
While ceiling fans don’t typically cool a room or space, they affect ambient temperature and give a cooling effect that allows you to raise your thermostat level without compromising comfort. However, remember to turn them off whenever you leave the house.
Use Your Windows to Regulate Indoor Temperatures
Besides ensuring you have properly insulated windows, open windows at night or in the evenings to cool your home naturally, and shut them during the day to seal in the cooler air.
Use Your Thermostat and AC Efficiently
What temperature should an AC be set at? Rather than set your thermostat at the same temperature throughout, set it higher when outdoors and lower it only when indoors.
You also want to avoid adjusting the AC thermostat lower than usual for quick relief. Doing so forces the system to work harder and consume more energy.
Invest in Regular AC Unit Maintenance
Even the most reliable AC unit will work best when you take good care of it. Try to keep your unit clean and well-maintained so it can work optimally without struggling to reach desired temperatures. Most HVAC contractors offer maintenance plans that include routine inspections and tune-ups.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient AC Unit
Installing a high-efficiency air conditioning system can reduce your cooling costs by as much as 50%. Energy Star-rated cooling systems, for example, help save on utility bills while reducing greenhouse emissions and other pollutants.
Use a Dehumidifier
By reducing moisture content in the air, dehumidifiers make the air feel cooler without requiring you to lower the thermostat setting. However, you don’t want to use as much energy dehumidifying your home as you would save by minimizing AC usage. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose.
The Best AC Temperature for Sleeping
Although 78 degrees F works well for comfort and energy savings when indoors and awake, optimal temperatures for sleeping range between 60 degrees F and 67 degrees F, regardless of outdoor temperatures. Setting your bedroom temperatures too hot or too cold may result in a restless night.
To help ensure ideal temperatures for slumber, consider re-setting your thermostat before retiring for the night. A programmable thermostat allows you to do that automatically. As mentioned earlier, consider opening a few windows to let in cooler air.
However, keep in mind that infants and small children should sleep in rooms with slightly higher temperatures for more restful sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 72 Degrees Fahrenheit a Good Temperature for Air Conditioning?
Since outdoor summer temperatures often surpass the 72-degree mark, setting your AC to this level will force it to consume much more energy to bring indoor temperatures down. Nonetheless, everyone has different temperature preferences.
How Cool Should My House Be If Outdoor Temperatures Exceed 100° Fahrenheit?
The ideal cooling temperatures for your HVAC system remain consistent even during hotter-than-usual weather.
What’s the Highest Temperature I Can Set My AC Unit and Still Feel Comfortable?
The answer to this question depends on personal preference. However, many people feel comfortable setting their thermostats at the recommended 78 degrees during summer months.
Call Cooper’s Plumbing & Air for Premium Plumbing, Heating, or Air Conditioning Services
Using the DOE’s recommended indoor temperature for air conditioning of 78 degrees as a starting point, you can then figure out how to achieve the ideal temperature for your preferences, whether it’s for personal comfort, energy conservation, or a harmonious blend of both.
Now that you can answer the question, “What temperature should an AC be set at?” Don’t hesitate to take proactive measures that will maximize your comfort while maintaining energy efficiency.
Are you looking to invest in a smart thermostat that will help you save on your utility bill? We can help you with that.
Trust Cooper’s Plumbing & Air for first-rate plumbing and HVAC solutions. Call us at (866) 464-7132 for inquiries or to schedule an appointment today!