When the blistering summer heat hits, everyone scrambles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right air conditioner temperature isn’t just about keeping comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and reducing your energy costs. So, what’s the secret number? The answer relies upon on your distinct demands and the time of day. Explore the ideal air conditioning temperature range when you’re at home, out and about as well as when you are sleeping.
The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home
The suggested daytime, at-home temperature for a residence's AC is 78 degrees. This temperature setting may seem shockingly 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 your home comfortable at 78 degrees:
- Use fans: Whether it is a ceiling fan or a desk fan, circulating air will make the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost very little to operate compared to your AC.
- Dress lightly: What you have on drastically affects your comfort level. Dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you stay cool during the summer months.
- Block out the sun: Sunlight beaming through the windows can heat a room tremendously. To keep your home from becoming a greenhouse, hang curtains or blinds to block out the sun, at least during the peak afternoon hours.
- Stay hydrated: How much water you drink has a huge part in regulating your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration improves your body’s self-cooling processes.
- Cook smart: Cooking generates a surprising amount of heat, forcing your AC to work harder, so avoid using the oven or stove during the heat of the afternoon. Instead, cook food in 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 not home for eight hours, a strategy experts say can save up to 10 percent on your cooling costs. Installing a programmable thermostat is the simplest method to save without giving up comfort.
This improvement allows you to automatically change the temperature at different times of the day or week according to your schedule, decreasing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The key is to use your programmable thermostat properly. Here are some guidelines for taking advantage of its full power:
- Set it and forget it: Configure 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 as soon as you walk in the door in the evening.
- 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 avoids extreme heat and humidity buildup without wasting energy to run your air conditioner in an empty house.
- Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioner works smoothly and efficiently at steady speeds. Plus, a big 10-degree drop doesn't actually cool your home more quickly. If you have to, lower the temperature by a single degree and switch on 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 extra features. Some designs can learn from your behaviors and change the temperature accordingly or be controlled 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 suggests setting the temperature four degrees higher than your usual setting. However, a lot of people find it tough to sleep in a hot and stuffy room. This makes achieving the right sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can use several strategies to beat the heat while you are trying to sleep:
- Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime wardrobe, your choice of sleepwear influences 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 best option.
- Run a fan: As it does during the day, a fan can create 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 going to bed with the windows open.
- Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound counterintuitive, 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 more rapidly.
Schedule AC Services this Summer in Boise
Balancing a home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. Why spend all summer trying to find the ideal AC temperatures when TML Service Experts can help you make the most of your system? Our high-quality, cost-effective AC services in Boise are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with absolute confidence. Call 208-488-4892 today to schedule the top-notch services you need with TML Service Experts.