Is 72 too high for thermostat in summer?

Author: Prof. Catalina Glover  |  Last update: Thursday, February 19, 2026

We'd actually suggest keeping your home's thermostat in between 72 degrees and 76 degrees to make things as simple and straightforward as possible for your home. It's a reasonable temperature that will keep you cool without overworking your AC.

Is it bad to keep AC at 72?

It is generally safe to leave your wall air conditioner on and set to a specific temperature, such as 72 degrees, for extended periods of time. Modern air conditioning units are designed to handle continuous operation and maintain a consistent temperature. However, there are a few factors to consider:

Is a 72 thermostat too high?

However, 72 degrees is the average recommendation. Setting the thermostat higher than the low 70s inevitably increases heat loss to the outdoors, raising heating bills substantially.

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

When temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside, setting your air conditioning (AC) to around 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit is generally considered efficient. Here are some reasons for this recommendation:

Why should people stop setting the thermostat at 72?

This is exactly true. Cranking down the AC below 72 degrees creates a completely ``artificial'' environment within the room when compared to outside temperature. When the indoor vs outdoor temps differ by a large margin its not even healthy for the bodies natural homeostasis.

Is 72 a good temperature for heat in the winter?

Is 72 too hot for a house?

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. In winter, the average room temperature is generally 62 to 68 degrees, whereas in the summer, the average temperature is 72 to 78 degrees.

How high should a thermostat be set away in summer?

Every season has an ideal thermostat temperature and for summer the U.S. Department of Energy suggests that when home, 78 degrees is the sweet spot between staying cool and keeping your energy bill low. Give your air conditioner and energy bill a break by setting your thermostat to 88 degrees when away.

What temperature do most people keep their house at in the summer?

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.

How long should it take to cool a house from 90 to 72?

Cooling a house from 90 degrees to 72 degrees typically takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on various factors.

Is 75 too hot for AC?

If this is the case, it may be necessary to keep your thermostat set at 72-74 degrees until everyone goes to bed. This can also depend on the number of people living in the house, or even whether you're preparing a home-cooked meal. If it's just you and your spouse, you may be fine with the temperature set at 75-77.

Why is my AC set to 72 but reads 78?

Clean the Thermostat

Sometimes, when the room temperature doesn't match the thermostat setting, the problem could be dirt buildup on its interior parts. A dirt coating around the inner components may create excess heat and cause the thermostat to give the wrong readings.

What is an unhealthy room temperature?

The World Health Organization recommends a thermostat setting no lower than 68 degrees while you're home. If you have children or seniors in your house, that number increases to at least 70 degrees. If your house is too cold, it can cause problems with blood pressure and circulation, as well as affect your heart rate.

Is 72 degrees hot enough to wear shorts?

70-degree weather is the ideal weather for a pair of shorts but these shorts go above and beyond just being a style choice.

Is 72 degrees hot?

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.

What should I set my AC to in summer?

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.

Is it OK to keep AC running 24 7?

If it's running all the time, it can be damaging to the system and lead to the need for a costly replacement. Energy bills: The cost to run your AC 24/7 can be high. Day after day, you're using a lot of energy and will get hit by quite a bill at the end of the month for it.

How cool should my house be if it's 90 outside?

Some of the basics include: turn your thermostat up a couple degrees and deal with 76 to 78 degree temperatures indoors for a few days. close off unused rooms. close doors and vents.

Is 72 degrees to hot to sleep in for a house?

Sleep experts believe the best temperature for great sleep is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. But in addition to making you uncomfortable and interfering with healthy sleep patterns, being too hot at any time of day or night can cause health risks like dehydration and heat stroke.

Why does my house feel cold at 72?

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.

Is 72 too cold for AC in summer?

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.

What is the best thermostat schedule for summer?

Keeping in mind both energy efficiency and comfort, the best thermostat settings for summer are 76° when you are home, 80-85° when you are away and 72° at night. Then use ceiling fans in the rooms you are in to feel up to 4* cooler. Here's more on why these thermostat settings are the best.

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.

Is 72 thermostat too high?

We'd actually suggest keeping your home's thermostat in between 72 degrees and 76 degrees to make things as simple and straightforward as possible for your home. It's a reasonable temperature that will keep you cool without overworking your AC.

What is the cheapest temperature to keep your house in 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 75 a good temperature for AC to save money?

Experiment With Temperatures Until Your Family Is Comfortable If you're ready to make moves to maximize your savings on your energy bill, you're in the right place. The US Department of Energy recommends 78 degrees as the optimal temperature for your thermostat in cooling season.

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