Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat hits, everyone scrambles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC setting isn’t just about staying comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and reducing your power bills. So, what’s the magic number? The answer is based on your specific needs and the time of day. Explore the best AC temperatures when you’re at home, away as well as when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The recommended daytime, at-home temperature for your AC is 78 degrees. This amount may seem surprisingly high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some tips to help stay cool at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether it is a ceiling fan or a desk fan, moving 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 wear significantly affects your comfort level. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics will help you keep cool when it’s hot outside.
• Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows can heat a room significantly. To prevent your home from becoming a greenhouse, hang curtains or blinds to block out the sun, especially during the peak afternoon hours.
• Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a big part in controlling your body temperature. Staying hydrated improves your body’s normal cooling processes.
• Cook smart: Cooking generates considerable heat, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, so avoid using the oven or stove during the hot afternoon. Instead, use the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outside 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, which can save up to 10 percent on your cooling costs. Buying a programmable thermostat is the easiest way to save without relinquishing comfort.

This upgrade allows you to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day or week based on your schedule, decreasing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The trick is to use your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some tips for harnessing its full power:

• Set it and forget it: Set up your thermostat to automatically set the temperature back about 30 minutes before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, time the recovery period so a comfortable temperature resumes just as you walk in the door in the evening.
• Use the vacation setting: If you’re not going to be 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 wasting energy to cool an empty house.
• Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works most efficiently at steady speeds. Plus, a dramatic 10-degree drop won’t cool your home any faster. If you have to, lower the temperature by a single 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, make the most of its programming capability and advanced features. Some designs can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be controlled 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 usual setting. However, a number of people find it hard to sleep in a hot room. This makes finding the right sleep temperature a struggle. Thankfully, you can try several strategies to beat the heat while you drift off to sleep:

• Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime attire, your choice of night clothes impacts how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also affect your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the best 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 sleeping with the windows open.
• Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound counterintuitive, but a warm shower actually cools you down more than a cold shower. It works 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 Dallas

Finding a compromise between indoor comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. Why spend all summer trying to find the ideal AC temperatures when Levy & Son Service Experts can help you make the most of your air conditioning? Our reliable, cost-effective AC services in Dallas are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with complete confidence. Call 469-250-0932 today to schedule the premium services you need with Levy & Son Service Experts.