When the blistering summer heat strikes, everyone hustles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right air conditioner setting isn’t just about getting comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and lowering your utility costs. So, what’s the magic temp? The answer depends on your distinct requirements and the time of day. Explore the optimal air conditioning thermostat settings when you’re at home, away 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 air conditioning is 78 degrees. This amount may seem remarkably high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some tips to help keep yourself nice and cool at 78 degrees:
- Use fans: Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a desk fan, circulating air actually makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost pennies on the dollar to run compared to your air conditioning unit.
- Dress lightly: What you wear greatly affects your comfort level. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you keep cool during the summer months.
- Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows can heat a room significantly. To stop 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 huge part in controlling your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration boosts your body’s natural cooling processes.
- Cook smart: Cooking generates a sizable amount of heat, forcing your AC to work harder, so try not to use the oven or stove during the hot afternoon. Instead, use 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 recommends setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re going to be out of the house for eight hours, a strategy experts say can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Setting up a programmable thermostat is the simplest strategy to save without sacrificing comfort.
This upgrade allows you to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day or week according to your schedule, reducing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The trick is to make use of your programmable thermostat in the correct way. Here are some guidelines for harnessing its full power:
- Set it and forget it: Set up your thermostat to automatically turn the temperature up about half an hour or so 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 when you get home.
- Use the vacation setting: If you’re away from home for an extended period, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to use the “away” temperature for days at a time. This stops too much heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy to cool an empty house.
- Make gradual adjustments: Your AC works the best at consistent speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop doesn't actually cool your home more quickly. If you have 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 buy a smart thermostat, take advantage of its programming capability and advanced features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and change the temperature accordingly or be controlled 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 advises that you should consider setting the temperature four degrees higher than your usual setting. However, many people find it hard to sleep in a warm room. This makes getting the ideal sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can use several methods 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 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 better solution.
- Run a fan: Similar to 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, reap the benefits of this by snoozing with the windows open.
- Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound counterintuitive, but a warm shower actually cools you down faster than a cold shower. It works by elevating your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away more rapidly.
Schedule AC Services this Summer in Jackson
Finding a compromise between your home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. Why spend all summer trying to find the right AC temperatures when Comfortech Service Experts can help you make the most of your system? Our high-quality, cost-effective AC services in Jackson come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with absolute confidence. Call 601-852-3105 today to schedule the HVAC services you need with Comfortech Service Experts .