Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the scorching summer heat arrives, everyone runs to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right air conditioner temp isn’t just about keeping comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and reducing your utility bills. So, what’s the magic temp? The answer depends on your unique demands and the time of day. Explore the optimal AC temperatures when you’re at home, out and 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) claims 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, the flowing air actually makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost very little to use compared to your air conditioner.
Dress lightly: What you have on significantly impacts your comfort level. Choosing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you keep cool in the summer.
Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows will often heat a room a lot. 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: How much water you drink has a significant part in managing your body temperature. Staying hydrated improves your body’s self-cooling processes.
Cook smart: Cooking generates a sizable amount of heat, forcing your AC to work harder, so avoid using the oven or stove during the hottest part of the afternoon. Instead, use the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill out on the porch of patio 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 home for eight hours, a move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling bills. Installing a programmable thermostat is the easiest method to save without relinquishing comfort.

This technology 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 key is to utilize your programmable thermostat in the correct way. Here are some guidelines for taking advantage of its full capabilities:

Set it and forget it: Set up your thermostat to automatically set the temperature back 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 when you walk in the door in the evening.
Use the vacation setting: If you’re going to be out of your home for several days, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to maintain the “away” temperature for days at a time. This prevents too much heat and humidity buildup without needlessly using energy to run your air conditioner in an empty house.
Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works smoothly and efficiently at consistent speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop won’t cool your home more quickly. If you need to, decrease the temperature by only one degree and turn on a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
Leverage smart capabilities: If you have a smart thermostat, capitalize on its programming capability and extra features. Some models can learn from your behaviors and adjust 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 suggests setting the temperature four degrees higher than your usual setting. However, lots of people find it tough to sleep in a warm room. This makes achieving the ideal sleep temperature a real challenge. 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 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 night, making sleep more comfortable.
Open a window: If it cools down at night, make the most of this by sleeping 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 achieves this by elevating your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away more quickly.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in Cleveland

Finding a compromise between your home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. Why spend all summer searching for the ideal AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you make the most of your home cooling technology? Our trustworthy, cost-effective AC services in Cleveland are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with complete confidence. Call 440-252-1375 today to schedule the HVAC services you need with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.