What Temperature Should I Set My Air Conditioner in the Summer?

What Temperature Should I Set My Air Conditioner in the Summer?

Everyone loves summertime weather—but nothing beats the heat like walking into your air-conditioned home. While it helps you stay comfortable, running your A/C can drive up your energy bill. That begs the question, “What temperature should I set my air conditioner in summer?” 

Save Money By Setting Your Thermostat to This Number

According to the US Department of Energy and Energy Star, the best summer AC setting for your thermostat is 78℉. Of course, you’re free to set it below or above that number. However, during the hours you’re not home, setting your thermostat 7-10 degrees higher can save you even more money. 

Try a Programmable Thermostat or Zoning 

You might be thinking, “There’s no way I’m walking into my 85° home every day after work.” Well, with a programmable thermostat, that won’t be the case. You can program your thermostat to lower the temperature before you arrive. Some modern thermostats can even connect to an app on your phone so you can adjust your home’s temperature wherever you are. 

You can also try zoning, which means controlling individual areas of your home with multiple thermostats. For example, if you want to keep just the bedrooms cool, you would only activate the thermostat that controls those rooms. It’s a great way to save money while keeping parts of your home comfortable.

What Temperature Should I Set My Air Conditioner in the Summer?

What Temperature To Set Your Air Conditioner While Sleeping 

During summer nights, some people prefer to sleep in a warm room while others prefer a cold room. Depending on your preference, your summer AC settings should be about 4° higher than the daytime settings or between 60-67 for a cool night's sleep. 

Some people may prefer to open their windows or use fans at night to regulate the temperature instead of utilizing an air conditioner. Both are great ways to save money by not running your A/C throughout the night. 

Should You  Leave the Air Conditioner On When You’re Out? 

A common myth is that turning off your AC means your unit will work harder (and cost you more) when it tries cooling down your home. For the most part, shutting off your AC when you’re not home saves you money.

Keep in mind that some cities charge more during peak hours, which are typically 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. In this case, it would cost you more when you start up your unit in those hours. 

Why You Shouldn’t Turn Off Your Air Conditioning

The sun beating down on your home all-day means internal temperatures can reach alarming numbers. Shutting down your AC unit while away can save you money, but your home could take hours to cool off. It’s why getting a programmable thermostat or simply leaving it on at a higher temperature is recommended. 

Your AC system does more than just cool off your home; it also removes humidity. That means your home will be more comfortable and reduce the chances of mold and mildew from growing on wood, carpet, and more. 

What Temperature Should I Set My Air Conditioner in the Summer?

Our Air Conditioner Repair and Installation Services 

While we can’t help you control the temperature outside, our team of technicians can help you save money and stay comfortable all summer long. Our staff provides exceptional air conditioning repair and installation services for homes in Downers Grove, Illinois and other areas. In addition, our contractors offer other types of HVAC repair services such as boiler maintenance, furnace repair, and humidifier installation. You can trust our HVAC technicians will provide excellent service. Give our technicians a call by phone at (630) 968-0783 to receive assistance with a malfunctioning air conditioning system.
 

Schedule An Appointment With Our Team

Call Us: (630) 968-0783

Our team of technicians will help you fix your defective air conditioning system to ensure you are comfortable throughout the summer.

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