Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the blistering summer heat strikes, 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 utility bills. So, what’s the right temperature? The answer depends on your specific requirements and the time of day. Explore the best 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 optimal daytime, at-home temperature for your air conditioning is 78 degrees. This number may seem shockingly high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some tips to help stay cool at 78 degrees:

Use fans: Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a desk fan, the flowing air actually makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost a surprisingly small amount of money to use compared to your air conditioning unit.
Dress lightly: What you are wearing significantly influences your comfort level. Choosing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you stay cool in the summer.
Block out the sun: Sunlight radiating through the windows can heat a room significantly. To stop your home from becoming a greenhouse, pull out the curtains or blinds to block out the sun, especially during the peak afternoon hours.
Stay hydrated: How much water you drink has a huge part in regulating your body temperature. Making sure you keep yourself hydrated improves your body’s self-cooling processes.
Cook smart: Cooking produces considerable heat, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, so try not to use the oven or stove during the heat of the afternoon. Instead, cook food in 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 advises setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re not going to be home for eight hours, a move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling costs. Installing a programmable thermostat is the easiest strategy to save without relinquishing comfort.

This improvement allows you to automatically change the temperature at different times of the day or week based on your schedule, lowering your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The important part is to utilize your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some tips for making sure you're using 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, set the thermostat to start bringing the temperature back down so a comfortable temperature resumes as soon as you walk in the door in the evening.
Use the vacation setting: If you’re going to be out of your home for a long time, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This prevents too much heat and humidity buildup without wasting energy to cool an empty house.
Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works smoothly and efficiently at steady speeds. Plus, a dramatic 10-degree drop will not cool your home any faster. If you must, decrease the temperature by only one degree and start up a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
Leverage smart capabilities: If you choose a smart thermostat, take advantage of its programming capability and extra features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and adapt the temperature accordingly or be operated remotely for outstanding comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to go to bed, the DOE advises that you should consider 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 getting the suitable sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can employ several strategies to beat the heat while you go to sleep:

Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime attire, your choice of sleepwear affects how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also affect your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the better choice.
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 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 truly cools you down more 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 Savannah

Striking a balance between your home’s comfort and energy efficiency is sometimes difficult. Why spend all summer trying to find the right AC temperatures when Coastal Service Experts can help you make the most of your air conditioning? Our trustworthy, cost-effective AC services in Savannah are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with total confidence. Call 912-208-2399 today to schedule the HVAC services you need with Coastal Service Experts.