Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat arrives, everyone hustles 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 decreasing your energy expenses. So, what’s the right temp? The answer relies upon on your unique demands and the time of day. Explore the optimal air conditioning thermostat settings when you’re at home, away and when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The recommended daytime, at-home temperature for a home’s air conditioner is 78 degrees. This number may seem shockingly high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some tips to help keep your home cool at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a desk fan, moving air will make the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost very little to operate compared to your air conditioner.
• Dress lightly: What you are wearing drastically affects your comfort level. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics can help you be cool in the summer.
• Block out the sun: Sunlight radiating 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, particularly during the peak afternoon hours.
• Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a big part in regulating your body temperature. Staying hydrated boosts your body’s natural cooling processes.
• Cook smart: Cooking generates a sizable 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, cook food in the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outdoors 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 not going to be home for eight hours, which can save up to 10 percent on your cooling bills. Setting up a programmable thermostat is the quickest way to save without sacrificing comfort.

This improvement allows you to automatically modify the temperature at different times of the day or week depending on your schedule, lowering your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The important part is to utilize your programmable thermostat in the correct way. Here are some recommendations for harnessing its full potential:

• Set it and forget it: Schedule your thermostat to automatically turn the thermostat up to your away temperature about a half hour before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, program the schedule so a comfortable temperature resumes just as you walk in the door in the evening.
• Use the vacation setting: If you’re not going to be home for a long time, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to use the “away” temperature for days at a time. This avoids extreme heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy on cooling an empty house.
• Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioner works the best at regular speeds. Plus, a big 10-degree drop won’t cool your home any faster. If you have to, drop 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 have a smart thermostat, make the most of its programming capability and advanced features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be managed remotely for superior comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to head off to 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 and stuffy room. This makes getting the ideal sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can try several techniques to beat the heat while you are trying to sleep:

• Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime clothing, your choice of pajamas impacts how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also can be a factor in your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the very best solution.
• Run a fan: As it does 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, take advantage of this by snoozing with the windows open.
• Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound odd, but a warm shower actually cools you down faster 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 Windsor

Finding a compromise between a home’s comfort and energy efficiency is sometimes difficult. Why spend all summer trying to find the right AC temperatures when Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts can help you make the most of your system? Our high-quality, cost-effective AC services in Windsor are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with total confidence. Call 226-773-3357 today to schedule the top-notch services you need with Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts.