Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat strikes, everyone hustles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC temperature isn’t just about staying comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and lowering your energy expenses. So, what’s the right temp? The answer depends on your particular demands and the time of day. Explore the best air conditioner temperature range when you’re at home, away or when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

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

  • Use fans: Whether it is a ceiling fan or a desk fan, flowing air makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost pennies on the dollar to use compared to your air conditioner.
  • Dress lightly: What you have on drastically affects your comfort level. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you keep cool when it’s hot outside.
  • Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows will often heat a room a lot. To stop your home from becoming a greenhouse, draw the curtains or blinds to block out the sun, especially during the peak afternoon hours.
  • Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a huge part in controlling your body temperature. Staying hydrated improves your body’s natural cooling processes.
  • Cook smart: Cooking creates considerable heat, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, so try not to use the oven or stove during the hottest part of the afternoon. Instead, make use of the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outdoors until the weather isn’t so hot.

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 costs. Buying a programmable thermostat is the quickest strategy to save without relinquishing comfort.

This upgrade allows you to automatically change the temperature at different times of the day or week based on your schedule, reducing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The important part is to utilize your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some tips for harnessing its full potential:

  • Set it and forget it: Configure your thermostat to automatically turn the temperature up 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 return.
  • 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 avoids excessive heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy to run your air conditioner in an empty house.
  • Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works smoothly and efficiently at regular speeds. Plus, a dramatic 10-degree drop doesn’t actually cool your home more quickly. If you must, lower the temperature by just one degree and start up 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 designs can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be operated remotely for outstanding comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time for bed, the DOE recommends setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your normal setting. However, lots of people find it hard to sleep in a warm room. This makes finding the suitable sleep temperature a struggle. Thankfully, you can use several strategies to beat the heat while you go to sleep:

  • Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime clothing, your choice of sleepwear affects how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also influence your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the very best choice.
  • Run a fan: As it does during the day, a fan can provide a cool breeze in your bedroom in the evening, 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 strange, but a warm shower really cools you down faster than a cold shower. It does this by increasing your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away more quickly.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in Fort Lauderdale

Striking a balance between a home’s comfort and energy efficiency is sometimes difficult. Why spend all summer guessing at the perfect 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 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 top-notch services you need with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.

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