Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the blistering summer heat strikes, everyone scrambles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right air conditioning temp isn’t just about staying comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and reducing your utility bills. So, what’s the right number? The answer relies upon on your distinct needs and the time of day. Explore the best AC temperatures 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 remarkably high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some tips to help keep yourself nice and cool 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 very little to operate compared to your air conditioning unit.
  • Dress lightly: What you wear significantly affects your comfort level. Choosing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you stay cool when it’s hot outside.
  • Block out the sun: Sunlight radiating through the windows can easily heat a room tremendously. To stop your home from becoming a greenhouse, pull out the curtains or blinds to block out the sun, particularly during the peak afternoon hours.
  • Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a huge part in controlling your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration enhances your body’s natural cooling processes.
  • Cook smart: Cooking creates a surprising amount of heat, forcing your AC to work harder, so don’t use the oven or stove during the hot afternoon. Instead, make use of the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outdoors 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 going to be home for eight hours, a move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Setting up a programmable thermostat is the easiest strategy to save without giving up comfort.

This improvement allows you to automatically modify the temperature at different times of the day or week depending on your schedule, lowering your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The trick is to use your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some guidelines for harnessing its full capabilities:

  • Set it and forget it: Schedule your thermostat to automatically turn the thermostat up to your away temperature 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 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 keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This stops excessive heat and humidity buildup without needlessly using energy on cooling an empty house.
  • Make gradual adjustments: Your AC works the best at regular speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop won’t cool your home more quickly. If you need to, drop the temperature by only one degree and start up a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
  • Leverage smart capabilities: If you choose a smart thermostat, capitalize on its programming capability and advanced features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and change the temperature accordingly or be operated remotely for exceptional comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to head off to bed, the DOE suggests setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your usual setting. However, lots of people find it tough to sleep in a hot and stuffy room. This makes achieving the right sleep temperature a struggle. Thankfully, you can employ 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 night clothes influences how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also affect your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the ideal solution.
  • Run a fan: Similar to during the day, a fan can create a cool breeze in your bedroom at night, making sleep more comfortable.
  • Open a window: If it cools off at night, take advantage of this by snoozing with the windows open.
  • Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound counterintuitive, 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 faster.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in Fort Lauderdale

Striking a balance between indoor comfort and energy efficiency is sometimes difficult. Why spend all summer guessing at the perfect AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you make the most of your home cooling technology? Our high-quality, cost-effective AC services in Fort Lauderdale come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with complete confidence. Call 954-736-4314 today to schedule the HVAC services you need with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.

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