Now, from the example above, with 75 degree air being pulled in at the air filter, what temperature should we expect to be blowing out? Well, the general consensus is somewhere between 14 to 20 degrees colder than the intake temperature. From my example, 55 to 61 degrees would be an acceptable range.
Ideally, there should be a temperature differential of around 14° to 20° Fahrenheit between the incoming air and the air being blown out by your air conditioner. This means that if the air entering the system is 75°F, the air coming out of the vent should be between 55°F and 61°F.
As the liquid refrigerant inside the evaporator coil converts to gas, heat is absorbed from the indoor air into the refrigerant, thus cooling the air as it passes over the coil. The indoor unit's blower fan then pumps the chilled air back through the home's ductwork out into the various living areas.
What should my AC be set at if it's 90 degrees outside? If the outdoor temperature is 90 degrees, it's recommended to set your thermostat between 75-78 degrees.
Ideal Temperature for Air Coming Out of Your AC Vents
Expect the ideal air temperature emanating from AC vents to be approximately 14 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the temperature of the air returning into the system. This range indicates that your air conditioning unit is operating efficiently and effectively.
While the standard room temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit is commonly favored by many, others argue for higher settings, particularly when it's hotter outside.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
Your AC might be stuck at 75 due to various reasons like clogged filters, refrigerant leaks, or the wrong unit size. It's best to have a professional diagnose and fix the issue.
During heat waves, experts, including utility companies, recommend keeping your thermostat no more than 20 degrees cooler than the outdoor temperature. For instance, if it's 100 degrees outside, aim to set your thermostat to at least 80 degrees.
Air conditioners shouldn't generally work all the time unless the thermostat is set to “fan on” (inadvisable). A correctly sized and well-maintained AC system should run for 15 to 20 minutes, two or three times every hour—with longer cycles in the higher temperatures of summer.
Simply put, it means you should never set your thermostat for a temperature more than 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. Why not? Most air conditioning systems can only handle a 20-degree difference between the outside and inside air temperatures.
Refrigerant Issues
In simple terms, refrigerant is a liquid that absorbs indoor heat. This heat is sent to the condenser coils, which emit hot air from the AC outdoor unit.
Anywhere between 72° to 78°F is typically standard. A study in Texas revealed that the model temperature during summer months was between 70° and 75°F. The same was true for the winter months. However, this could differ based on energy costs in the region.
Well, the general consensus is somewhere between 14 to 20 degrees colder than the intake temperature. From my example, 55 to 61 degrees would be an acceptable range.
According to the Department of Energy1, 78° Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for air conditioners to balance energy savings and comfort when people are at home and need cooling. But in reality, this is a question that doesn't have a “one size fits all” answer.
Without enough refrigerant, the evaporator coil inside your air conditioner gets too cold. As condensation forms, the cold evaporator coil turns this condensation into ice. That's why one of the biggest manifestations of a frozen AC unit is an evaporator coil that's turned into a block of solid ice.
Just because the outdoor temperature is above 100, the Ideal temperature to set your AC unit to doesn't change — it's 78 degrees. Higher temperatures in the home are to be expected when the weather is hotter than usual, but your thermostat can still be set the same as if it were a lower temperature outside.
If you're cold even though your thermostat indicates you shouldn't be, your furnace likely isn't the problem. In most cases, it's working just fine. It's your home that needs attention. Lack of insulation, severe air leakage, and/or unbalanced ductwork are frequently to blame.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 64 degrees (F) in the Winter months while people are in the home. If there are infants or elderly individuals, they recommend keeping the temperature at 70 degrees at a minimum.
Your AC unit isn't producing cool air as well as it used to because dirty coils may be hindering its ability to remove heat in your home's air. It could also not work properly due to a clogged filter and refrigerant running low, which are also the most common causes why you feel warmer these days.
Consumer satisfaction research company Canstar Blue says that for optimum cooling and energy efficiency, it's best to set your air conditioner's temperature in summer to 24-25 degrees. Every degree cooler than this optimum temperature will generally consume about 10 percent or more energy.
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.
Issues with the pilot light, high limit switch, blocked burners, leaky ductwork, electrical problems, and blower motor failures are common reasons for HVAC systems blowing cold air.
If your air conditioning unit is ac blowing cold air outside, it might mean there's a problem with cooling the air inside. This could be due to refrigerant leaks, frozen coils, electrical issues, or airflow problems. It's important to find out why to fix it and keep the cold air inside.