Is 69 too cold for AC in summer?

Author: Dale Beier  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Finding Your Ideal Temperature The ultimate answer to, “How cold is too cold?” may be 68 degrees, but to maintain home comfort without wasting energy, keep your thermostat between 72 and 78 degrees.

Is 69 degrees too cold for AC?

Most air conditioners allow you to set a temperature at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If the temperature outside is below that, it isn't advisable to turn the air conditioner on as its coils may freeze and it may become damaged over time.

Is 68 too cold for AC in summer?

Set a reasonable temperature: HVAC professionals strongly recommend never setting the thermostat lower than 68 degrees in the summer. To balance comfort and energy efficiency, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees when you're at home and awake.

Is it bad to run AC below 70 degrees?

Do not set your thermostat below 70 degrees as it will not cool any faster and could freeze up the system causing more problems. Understand that there is generally a 20 degree difference between indoor air and outside temperatures.

Is 69 good for thermostat?

The optimal range to set your thermostat is between 68 and 79 degrees. Keeping your home too cold or too hot could cause issues you don't want.

What temperature is too cold for AC?

Is 69 degrees too cold for a house?

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.

Is 68 too low for central air?

IS 68 TOO COLD FOR AC? Setting your AC to 68°F might feel too cold for some, especially in residential settings, as it is lower than the typical comfort range. However, preferences vary, and this temperature might be suitable for those who prefer cooler environments.

What is the lowest you should set your AC to?

In short, the 20-degree rule of air conditioning states that you should always keep your AC unit at no more than 20 degrees lower than the outside temperature. It means that, if the outdoor conditions are at 95 degrees, you should set your thermostat at no less than 75 degrees.

What is the best temperature to run the air conditioner in the summer?

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.

Is it normal for AC to not cool in summer?

If your air conditioner isn't keeping up with the heat, your air filter may be to blame. A dirty air filter can obstruct the airflow path through the unit. Using a dirty air filter can also cause less energy efficiency and more costly utility bills.

How cool should my house be if it's 100 outside?

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.

What happens if I set my AC too low?

A common rule of thumb is that most models can function properly only above 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Any lower temperature will result in the system freezing up. In addition to a frosty refrigerant, the piping and coils could also become covered with ice.

What is the best setting for AC in summer?

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.

Is 69 degrees too cold to sleep?

For most adults, the best temperature for sleep is anywhere between 60–69 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Shelby Harris, PsyD, a licensed psychologist who is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine and the director of sleep health at Sleepopolis.

Is 68 too cold for a house in summer?

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.

What temp is too low for AC?

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.

What is the most comfortable temperature for AC?

According to the DOE, the ideal home temperature during winter weather is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. In comparison, the ideal air conditioner temperature during the summer months is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the cheapest temperature setting for summer?

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.

Is 72 too cold for AC in summer?

To maintain a comfortable indoor environment during the summer, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers recommends a range of 73 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. On scorching hot days, you may want to adjust your thermostat toward the higher end of that range.

Is it OK to set an AC below 70?

What Temperature is Too Cold for a House AC? Most experts maintain that running your AC below 70 degrees can cause issues with your unit, including the risk of freezing the evaporator coil.

What temperature to keep a house in summer?

For summer, Direct Energy recommends that the ideal thermostat temperature should be 78 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degree Celsius when you're at home. You should set the daytime temperature no lower than 78 degrees F (26 degrees C).

Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning at night?

The National Sleep Foundation says 60-67 is a good temperature for sleep, but that might be too cold for you and increase your cooling bill. As a compromise, 70-plus degrees is a good setting.

Which AC mode to use in summer?

When you activate dry mode, the fan on your AC is set to a higher speed, which helps circulate and draw moisture out of the air. Dry mode is especially useful during humid seasons such as summertime, when you may find yourself fighting against high levels of humidity in your home.

What's the lowest you should set your AC?

For example, HVAC specialists recommend setting your thermostat no lower than 20 degrees the outside temperature. Suppose the outdoor temperature in your area is a blistering 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It's probably best to keep your thermostat between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent stress on your unit.

What is the best AC temperature for sleeping?

The best AC temperature for sleeping

The goldilocks zone: Aim for a temperature between 18°C (64°F) and 22°C (72°F) for optimal sleep comfort. Individual needs: Consider personal preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly. Some people may prefer slightly cooler or warmer settings.

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