This sounds unbelievable, but it does happen, especially in higher altitudes. This is why many HVAC experts say you shouldn't lower your thermostat below 72 degrees during warm months or below 78 degrees in the hot months.
Air conditioners have minimal temperature limits below which a person will begin to feel uneasy. Each air conditioner, regardless of model or brand, has the lowest temperature limit. The temperature must be below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit's inner coils will freeze.
The temperature will need to go below -50 degrees for Freon to freeze. If the temperature outside during the winter is higher than that, you can expect the refrigerant to maintain its shape.
During a heatwave, we recommend that you don't lower the AC's setting below 68°F. This is already quite chilly for most people, and many would consider it too cold. An air conditioner set this low risk of its coil freezing—and that's bad news because it indicates that the air conditioner is overworked.
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.
Setting your air conditioning to 72°F is generally considered a comfortable indoor temperature for many people. It strikes a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency, making it a popular choice for residential settings.
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.
70°F is an ideal temperature setting, regardless of how hot it gets outside. This is a comfortable temperature for most, though you may find that it can feel too cold at times. Any air conditioner set lower than this is at risk of having its coil freeze.
In most cases, air conditioners only have one speed (though some have variable speed settings to improve energy efficiency). Lowering the temperature too much causes your air conditioner to operate longer, causing more wear and tear on it as well as higher utility bills.
U.S. Department of Energy research suggests that setting your programmable thermostat to 78 during the summer months is the best way to save money on your cooling costs while maintaining a comfortable temperature.
Using Your AC When It's Too Cold Outside
Lastly, if the temperature outside is below 60 degrees, and your AC's temperature is set below 68 degrees, this can cause the evaporator coils to freeze as there is not enough warm air in the house for the AC to sufficiently cool.
Dirty air filter: A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, which can make it harder for your AC unit to cool your home. If your air filter is dirty, it's recommended to replace it every 1-3 months. Low refrigerant: Refrigerant is a liquid that helps your AC unit transfer heat from inside your home to the outside.
When the AC temperature is too low, between 60-67 degrees F (15-19 degrees C), the evaporator coil inside the unit can get excessively cold. If the humidity in the room is high, condensation can accumulate on the coil, which may lead to the formation of frost or ice.
While it can be tempting to crank your thermostat down to the 60s after a long, hot day, keeping your AC at around 73-78 degrees is ideal for maintaining the efficiency of your system.
Quick answer: The ideal house temperature is room temperature, which ranges from 68 to 78 degrees F, though this may vary from season to season.
Do not set your thermostat below 70 degrees as it will not cool any faster and could freeze up the system causing more problems.
For the most efficient performance, set the thermostat 20 degrees lower than the temperature outside. On a 100℉ day, set it to 78℉ to 80℉ to manage utility costs. If there's a lack of airflow, the filter may need to be changed or AC vents cleaned.
Air conditioners are graduated to run within an ideal set of temperature thresholds. If you are operating your AC when the outdoor air is below 60 degrees, then the air pressure inside your unit will fall, and this can cause your Central Air Conditioner to freeze up.
While it's understandable you want to keep comfortable when it's somewhere in the 90s outside. 68 degrees isn't a recommended temperature to keep as a setting for your air conditioner.
If your thermostat is set too low, the air conditioner will run for longer periods of time which can cause it to freeze up. To prevent this from happening, you should make sure your thermostat is set to the proper temperature. This will help your AC run more efficiently and avoid any freezing issues.
What Is the Best Temperature To Set an AC in the Summer? According to ENERGY STAR, a division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 78 degrees Fahrenheit is the most cost-effective AC setting during the summer months. 1 And that's just the recommendation for when you're at home.
In most cases, especially in residential applications, you should not run your air conditioner when outdoor temperatures are below 60 degrees. The air conditioner does function, but you are going to burn out the compressor fairly quickly.
The California Energy Commission recommends that homeowners set their thermostat to 78 degrees when they're home and 85 degrees when they're away from home during the summer.
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.
The average summer temperature is around 71°F. In winter, this falls just a touch to 70°F. Here's a winter breakdown for thermostat settings across the U.S., according to the survey participants: 47% set it between 68°F and 71°F.