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.
This is more of a personal question, as different people feel comfortable at different temperatures. Since 72 degrees is generally agreed upon to be an ideal indoor temperature, most people would probably still feel comfortable setting their AC units slightly higher than this, perhaps at around 75.
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.
In most cases, especially in residential applications, you should not run your air conditioner when outdoor temperatures are below 60 degrees.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hence, to take a temperature closer to 24 degrees is considered to be healthier for individuals in tropical regions like India. The ministry says that, as per the comfort chart, temperatures up to 25 degrees are quite comfortable for human body, along with the desired humidity and air movement values.
The EPA says that for every degree warmer you set your AC, you can save 6 percent on your cooling costs, although you get diminishing returns as you go higher and higher. Put simply, if your cooling bill is usually $170, setting your thermostat a single digit higher will save you over $10 a month.
68 to 72 degrees is a temperature range that is not too warm or cool, and is sufficient enough to warm up the home just enough so that everyone is comfortable regardless of the type of clothing they have on.
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.
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.
What is the Best Thermostat Setting for Summer Air Conditioner Use? Energy Star recommends the following thermostat temperatures for your air conditioner in the summer: 78°F during the day if people are home. 82°F at night if people are home.
Your AC might not cool properly due to thermostat issues, an undersized unit, or extremely high outdoor temps—so check those first. Keep an eye on airflow—replace clogged filters every 3 months, and make sure vents and ducts aren't blocked for efficient cooling.
When outside temperatures are pushing 100 degrees, try setting your thermostat at 78-80 degrees. Supplement the indoor airflow with fans and other strategies to maintain cool temperatures inside.
Sleeping in a room with the air conditioner set to an appropriate temperature is important for quality sleep. The ideal AC temperature for sleeping is around 65°F (18.3°C). However, this may differ between individuals, who might find their ideal AC temperature lies between 60 and 67°F (15.6 and 19.4°C).
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.
IS 72 A GOOD TEMPERATURE FOR AIR CONDITIONING? Setting your air conditioning to 72°F is generally considered a comfortable indoor temperature for many people.
To combat these hot and often humid conditions, it may be necessary to drop your temperature setting below 78 degrees to 72-74 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if everyone in your home is still at school or working, you may want to leave the temperature set at 78 to avoid cooling an empty house.
But you shouldn't run your AC if the temperature is below 60°F. Heat pumps: Modern heat pumps are effective at around 25 to 30°F. Ductless mini-splits: Avoid using the cooling function when temperatures fall below 60°F.
Allowing your air conditioner to rest is an excellent way to extend its life and ensure it operates efficiently throughout the years. Air conditioners, like homeowners, require rest in order to recover and perform optimally.
Most central air conditioners can cool a moderate-sized (3 to 4 bedroom) home by about 5 degrees every 3 hours. This means while it can take no more than a couple hours to lower the temperature to a comfortable range in the fall or autumn, it can take much longer in the summer.
Temperatures Above 100 Degrees Fahrenheit
When temperatures outside become higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the air conditioning system can consume more energy and begin to malfunction or fail. Most air conditioning systems are designed to function with outside temperatures of 100 degrees or less.