Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat arrives, everyone runs 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 limiting your power bills. So, what’s the magic temperature? The answer depends on your unique demands and the time of day. Explore the ideal air conditioner thermostat settings when you’re at home, out and about and when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The recommended daytime, at-home temperature for your air conditioner is 78 degrees. This number may seem remarkably high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some tips to help keep your home comfortable at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether you’re using a ceiling fan or a desk fan, flowing air will make the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost pennies on the dollar to run compared to your air conditioner.
• Dress lightly: What you are wearing significantly influences your comfort level. Choosing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics can help you keep cool during the summer months.
• Block out the sun: Sunlight beaming through the windows will often heat a room a lot. 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 significant part in regulating your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration improves your body’s self-cooling processes.
• Cook smart: Cooking produces a sizable amount of heat, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, so try not to use 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, a strategy experts say can save up to 10 percent on your cooling costs. Installing a programmable thermostat is the quickest method to save without sacrificing comfort.

This upgrade allows you to automatically modify the temperature at different times of the day or week according to your schedule, lowering your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The trick is to use your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some guidelines for making sure you’re using its full power:

• 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, time the recovery period so a comfortable temperature resumes as soon as you walk in the door when you get home.
• 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 stops excessive heat and humidity buildup without wasting energy to cool an empty house.
• Make gradual adjustments: Your AC works smoothly and efficiently at regular speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop won’t cool your home any faster. If you have to, lower 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 buy a smart thermostat, take advantage of its programming capability and enhanced features. Some models 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 usual setting. However, a number of people find it hard to sleep in a warm room. This makes achieving the right sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can try several techniques 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 influences 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: Just like during the day, a fan can generate a cool breeze in your bedroom at bedtime, making sleep more comfortable.
• Open a window: If it gets cooler at night, make the most 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 does this 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 Fort Lauderdale

Finding a compromise between your home’s comfort and energy efficiency is sometimes difficult. Why spend all summer trying to find the right AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you make the most of your air conditioning? Our reliable, 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 premium services you need with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.