Set your thermostat to the highest temperature that you can while still being comfortable in your home. Ideally, this should be around 78 degrees for summer air conditioning cost savings. Balancing your thermostat with your AC use helps to create more consistent temperatures throughout your home.
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.
Best AC Temperature Settings While You Are Home
As you consider the most comfortable room temperature for your lifestyle and family, keep in mind that for each degree that you set your thermostat above 72 degrees, you can save up to 3% on your energy bill.
According to the Department of Energy, you can save about 10% a year on energy costs just by setting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees higher or cooler than normal for 8 hours a day.
Eco or energy-saving mode
This is the ideal mode for users looking to save up on energy bills by toning down the performance of the AC and its compressor. Eco-mode uses less electricity by automatically adjusting the fan speed and temperature, while still maintaining a comfortable level of cooling.
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.
While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for most families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that's why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees.
The best way to save money is by combining both. The “run” feature lets you preset the temperature when you're not home to prevent wasting money on cooling or heating an empty home. Meanwhile, the “hold” button lets you change the room's temperature without changing your energy-saving, preset schedule.
Switching to eco-mode, however, results in notable cost savings with AC eco-mode due to its energy conservation approach. By dynamically adjusting the cooling intensity and fan speeds, eco-mode minimizes unnecessary power consumption.
There are benefits to having your air conditioner set to “auto” and “on.” The benefits of the “auto” setting include higher efficiency, lower energy bills, better humidity control, less wear and tear on some components, and quieter running.
On the one hand, keeping a constant temperature can be more energy-efficient in some cases because your HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard switching between temperatures. However, this approach can also lead to wasted energy if you're heating or cooling your home when no one can enjoy it.
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.
Energy Saver recommends setting your air conditioner to 78 degrees when you wake up, 85 degrees during the day, and 82 degrees when you're sleeping to save the most money. Kureczka suggests bumping the temperature up to the highest setting you're comfortable with.
When setting your thermostat, most homeowners find 72 is a good temperature for air conditioning. However, you may need to adjust that setting based on weather conditions. The bigger the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the higher your energy bill will be.
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.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
In general, it's recommended to keep your thermostat between 24°C (75°F) and 26°C (78°F) for a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency.
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.
A 5 star AC offers superior energy efficiency, leading to lower electricity bills, while a 3 star AC is more budget-friendly but tends to consume slightly more power. If you're undecided on whether to go for a 5 star or 3 star AC, consider factors like long-term energy savings and initial costs.
Yes, Auto mode is intended to save energy. The air conditioner can conserve energy and save you money on your energy bills by automatically adjusting the temperature and fan speed based on the ambient conditions and the presence of people in the room.