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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 conditioning temp isn’t just about getting comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and limiting your utility expenses. So, what’s the magic number? The answer relies upon on your unique demands and the time of day. Explore the optimal 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 recommended daytime, at-home temperature for a home’s AC is 78 degrees. This amount may seem very high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a couple of tips to help stay comfortable at 78 degrees:

  • Use fans: Whether it is a ceiling fan or a desk fan, circulating air makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost a surprisingly small amount of money to use compared to your AC.
  • Dress lightly: What you are wearing significantly affects your comfort level. Dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you stay cool in the summer.
  • Block out the sun: Sunlight beaming through the windows can heat a room a lot. To prevent your home from becoming a greenhouse, draw the curtains or blinds to block out the sun, particularly during the peak afternoon hours.
  • Stay hydrated: Water consumption has a huge part in controlling your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration enhances your body’s normal cooling processes.
  • Cook smart: Cooking produces considerable heat, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, so don’t use the oven or stove during the heat of the afternoon. Instead, use the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outside until the weather gets cooler.

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, a move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Installing a programmable thermostat is the quickest strategy to save without relinquishing comfort.

This technology allows you to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day or week according to your schedule, lowering your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The important part is to use your programmable thermostat properly. Here are some recommendations for harnessing its full power:

  • Set it and forget it: Set up 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, set the thermostat to start bringing the temperature back down so a comfortable temperature resumes just as you walk in the door when you get home.
  • Use the vacation setting: If you’re not going to be home for a long time, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to maintain the “away” temperature for days at a time. This stops too much heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy on cooling an empty house.
  • Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works most efficiently at consistent speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop won’t cool your home more rapidly. If you need to, drop the temperature by a single degree and turn on 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 extra features. Some designs can learn from your behaviors and adapt the temperature accordingly or be operated remotely for superior 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 normal setting. However, lots of people find it difficult to sleep in a hot room. This makes getting the suitable sleep temperature a real challenge. Thankfully, you can use several techniques to beat the heat while you drift off to sleep:

  • Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime wardrobe, your choice of sleepwear impacts 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: As it does during the day, a fan can generate 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 going to bed 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 does this by boosting your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away more rapidly.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in Fort Lauderdale

Finding a compromise between indoor comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. Why spend all summer guessing at the ideal AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you make the most of your system? Our trustworthy, cost-effective AC services in Fort Lauderdale are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with total confidence. Call 954-736-4314 today to schedule the HVAC services you need with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.

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