When the scorching summer heat strikes, everyone hustles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC temperature isn’t just about keeping comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and lowering your utility costs. So, what’s the right number? The answer depends on your particular requirements and the time of day. Explore the ideal AC thermostat settings when you’re at home, away or when you are sleeping.
The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home
The recommended daytime, at-home temperature for a residence's air conditioning is 78 degrees. This amount may seem surprisingly high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a couple of tips to help stay nice and cool at 78 degrees:
- Use fans: Whether it is a ceiling fan or a desk fan, circulating air will make the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost a surprisingly small amount of money to operate compared to your air conditioning unit.
- Dress lightly: What you have on greatly influences your comfort level. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics will help you stay cool when it's hot outside.
- Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows will often heat a room significantly. To keep your home from becoming a greenhouse, hang curtains or blinds to block out the sun, particularly during the peak afternoon hours.
- Stay hydrated: How much water you drink has a significant part in managing your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration enhances your body’s self-cooling processes.
- Cook smart: Cooking creates considerable heat, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, so try not to use the oven or stove during the hot afternoon. Instead, make use of the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outside until the weather isn't so hot.
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 expenses. Installing a programmable thermostat is the simplest method to save without sacrificing comfort.
This upgrade allows you to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day or week depending on your schedule, lowering your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The important part is to make use of your programmable thermostat in the correct way. Here are some recommendations for harnessing its full capabilities:
- Set it and forget it: Set up your thermostat to automatically turn the temperature up 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 when you walk in the door when you get home.
- Use the vacation setting: If you’re away from home for several days, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This avoids extreme heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy to cool an empty house.
- Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioner works the best at consistent speeds. Plus, a dramatic 10-degree drop will not cool your home any faster. If you have to, decrease the temperature by just one degree and turn on a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
- Leverage smart capabilities: If you have a smart thermostat, take advantage of its programming capability and extra features. Some designs can learn from your behaviors and adapt the temperature accordingly or be operated remotely for exceptional comfort and convenience.
The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping
When it’s time for bed, the DOE recommends setting the temperature four degrees higher than your typical setting. However, a lot of people find it difficult to sleep in a hot room. This makes getting the right sleep temperature a struggle. Thankfully, you can use several techniques to beat the heat while you go 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 better choice.
- Run a fan: Similar to 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, reap the benefits of this by sleeping with the windows open.
- Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound strange, but a warm shower really cools you down more 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 rapidly.
Schedule AC Services this Summer in Knoxville
Balancing your home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be challenging. Why spend all summer searching for the ideal AC temperatures when R & M Climate Control Service Experts can help you make the most of your home cooling technology? Our reliable, cost-effective AC services in Knoxville are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with total confidence. Call 865-229-6176 today to schedule the top-notch services you need with R & M Climate Control Service Experts.