Setting your thermostat to around 80 degrees is reasonable. It allows the AC to run occasionally to prevent the indoor temperature from getting excessively hot.
If everyone in your household is either at work or school, then turning the temperature to 78-80 degrees will save you a chunk of change when the energy bill arrives. The one consideration to keep in mind is if you have four-legged friends at home. If this is the case, a temperature setting in the 76-78 range is best.
The average temperature that can help you save money is anywhere from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, giving your house just enough cooling to keep the hottest temperatures outside at bay.
In general, 80 degrees is too hot for a house if people are inside. However, if people aren't home during the day or for vacation during the summer, an indoor temperature of 80 degrees can save energy until you return and lower the temperature.
And, the best spot to do it at is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Energy Star, it's an ideal temperature. 78 degrees keeps you fairly cool and comfortable during the day. It also shouldn't make your electric bill skyrocket.
If your thermostat is set at 80+ degrees, then the humidity inside of your home can easily get up above 70%. That's much higher than the recommended ideal indoor humidity of 30-50%. Having indoor humidity above 50% can cause serious issues for your health and your home.
The recommended rule of thumb for summertime is to set the temperature to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're home and higher when you're away. In general, set it to 82 degrees Fahrenheit when you're asleep and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you're away.
Most sleep specialists recommend people sleep in a “cool, dark and quiet environment,” typically ranging from about 65 to 75 degrees, said Ronald Chervin, the division chief of the sleep disorders centers and professor of sleep medicine at the University of Michigan, who was not involved in the study.
But when the system has to cool your home by over 20 degrees, its capacity to do both diminishes. As a result, your AC system has to work harder and uses more energy to do so. It, in turn, will lead to faster wear and tear, which can drastically reduce its lifespan.
The Safest Temperature for Humans and Pets
Heat can be dangerous, so you don't want to let your home get too hot. The absolute highest you should set your thermostat is around 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
When You Run Your AC All Day, Temperature Is Everything. Yes, we have said that it is usually cheaper to keep your air conditioner on all day, but this is only true if you have it set to the right temperature. This method works when you keep it at a higher temperature (albeit lower than however hot it is outside).
Set the thermostat as high as comfortably possible during hot weather. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling bill will be. Keep your house warmer when you aren't home during the day, but cooler when you come home at night.
Recommended AC Temperature for Sleeping
The Sleep Foundation says 65° is the best temperature for sleeping. However, if you prefer a slightly warmer or cooler room, that's okay, too. The recommended range is 60–68°, so there is some wiggle room.
For many of us, 70 degrees is the ideal indoor temperature, but when it is close to 100 degrees outside, your AC unit will be working quite hard to meet these expectations. Consider setting your thermostat at 75 degrees to 80 degrees in your home if the outside temperature is approaching triple digits.
For the greatest savings, consider setting your thermostat to: About 78 degrees while you are at home. About 82 degrees while you are sleeping. About 85 degrees when you are at work, school, or away from home.
Avoid constantly changing your thermostat settings, and instead, aim for a steady temperature that keeps your home comfortable without causing your HVAC system to run inefficiently. Don't wait.
We recommend that you never set your thermostat above 79 degrees and never below 69. Again above 79 can cause the above issues and below 69 typically will make the air conditioner freeze up.
Cooling a house from 80 to 72 degrees is a common goal for many, especially during the peak of summer. On average, this process takes roughly two and a half to three and a half hours.
It's advisable to keep your home below 80 degrees throughout the summer. A house that's too warm can be dangerous to people, pets, and the soft surfaces in your home. Set the winter temperature to 68 degrees when you're awake and 62 degrees when you're sleeping.
CALIFORNIA OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS BOARD
Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment. (a) Scope and Application. (1) This section applies to all indoor work areas where the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present.
Other things that a parent can do to prevent SIDS is keeping the room temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and running a ceiling fan that keeps air flowing. Also, according to the AAP report, breastfeeding significantly reduces risk of SIDS, as does keeping a tobacco smoke free environment.
Heat Index: 80-89 degrees F Heat Effect: Fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity Recommendations: Limit your time outdoors; Stay well-hydrated. Drink 10 gulps every 20 minutes.
Rochester Electric and Gas recommends setting your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, as each degree above 75 degrees saves 3% of energy on cooling. A higher internal temperature actually slows heat flowing into your living space, so it saves additional money on air conditioning.
Setting your AC to 16°C will cool the room more than setting it to 30°C. However, keep in mind that extremely low temperatures can lead to higher energy consumption and may not be comfortable for occupants. A moderate setting, like around 22–24°C, is often recommended for both comfort and efficiency.
You want to be comfortable, but also use an efficient temperature that doesn't potentially increase your energy costs. The best thermostat setting for summer is 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. Energy.gov also suggests raising your thermostat or turning it off entirely when you are away in the summer.