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 setting isn’t just about keeping comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and lowering your energy costs. So, what’s the secret number? The answer depends on your specific requirements and the time of day. Explore the best air conditioning temperatures when you’re at home, out and about and 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 a few tips to help stay cool at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a desk fan, circulating air will make 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 drastically impacts 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 radiating through the windows will often heat a room significantly. To prevent your home from becoming a greenhouse, hang curtains or blinds to block out the sun, at least during the peak afternoon hours.
• Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a significant part in managing your body temperature. Making sure you keep yourself hydrated improves your body’s normal cooling processes.
• Cook smart: Cooking creates considerable heat, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, so avoid using 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 outside until the weather gets cooler.

The Best AC Temperature While You’re Away

The DOE proposes 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. Buying a programmable thermostat is the easiest strategy to save without giving up comfort.

This technology allows you to automatically modify the temperature at different times of the day or week depending on your schedule, decreasing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The key is to make use of your programmable thermostat in the correct way. Here are some tips for taking advantage of its full potential:

• Set it and forget it: Set up 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 when you walk in the door when you get home.
• Use the vacation setting: If you’re not going to be home for a long time, 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 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 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 choose a smart thermostat, take advantage of its programming capability and extra features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be managed remotely for exceptional comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to go to bed, the DOE suggests setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your normal setting. However, lots of people find it difficult to sleep in a warm room. This makes getting the ideal sleep temperature a struggle. Thankfully, you can try several methods 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 pajamas 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 solution.
• Run a fan: Similar to 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, reap the benefits of this by sleeping with the windows open.
• Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound odd, but a warm shower actually cools you down better than a cold shower. It does this by boosting your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away more quickly.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in Calgary

Striking a balance 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 high-quality, cost-effective AC services in Calgary come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with complete confidence. Call 403-279-5760 today to schedule the HVAC services you need with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.