Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat strikes, everyone runs to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC temperature isn’t just about getting comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and limiting your energy costs. So, what’s the secret temperature? The answer is based on your unique requirements and the time of day. Explore the optimal air conditioner thermostat settings when you’re at home, out and about as well as when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The optimal daytime, at-home temperature for a residence’s AC is 78 degrees. This temperature setting may seem very high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to help stay comfortable at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether it is a ceiling fan or a desk fan, flowing air actually makes 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 drastically affects your comfort level. Choosing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you be cool during the summer months.
• Block out the sun: Sunlight beaming through the windows can heat a room a lot. 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: How much water you drink has a huge part in regulating your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration improves your body’s natural cooling processes.
• Cook smart: Cooking creates a sizable amount of heat, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, so don’t use the oven or stove during the heat of the 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 proposes 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 bills. Installing a programmable thermostat is the simplest way to save without relinquishing comfort.

This technology allows you to automatically modify the temperature at different times of the day or week based on your schedule, decreasing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The important part is to utilize your programmable thermostat properly. Here are some tips for taking advantage of its full capabilities:

• Set it and forget it: Schedule your thermostat to automatically turn the thermostat up to your away temperature about half an hour or so 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 away from home for an extended period, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This avoids too much heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy to run your air conditioner in an empty house.
• Make gradual adjustments: Your AC works most efficiently at steady speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop will not cool your home any faster. If you need 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, make the most of its programming capability and enhanced features. Some designs can learn from your behaviors and adapt the temperature accordingly or be managed remotely for superior 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 4 degrees higher than your normal setting. However, lots of people find it tough to sleep in a hot room. This makes finding the suitable sleep temperature a real challenge. Thankfully, you can employ several strategies 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 influence your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the very best option.
• Run a fan: As it does during the day, a fan can generate a cool breeze in your bedroom in the evening, 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 really cools you down faster than a cold shower. It does this 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 Fort Lauderdale

Balancing your home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be challenging. Why spend all summer guessing at the ideal AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you make the most of your home cooling technology? Our reliable, cost-effective AC services in Fort Lauderdale are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with total confidence. Call 954-736-4314 today to schedule the HVAC services you need with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.