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.
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.
ASHRAE, unlike the EPA, specifies an ideal number to set a building's thermostat to. It's a range, actually: around 23°-26°C, or 73.4°-78.8°F, in the summer.
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.
Location and severe climates can affect this range, but between 68 and 72 degrees is the general recommendation. 68 degrees is best because lower temperatures reduce the amount of energy needed to keep the house warm.
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.
Setting the thermostat below 72 degrees while using an air conditioner can cause the unit to work harder than necessary, leading to higher energy bills and potential damage to the appliance.
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.
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-degree weather is the ideal weather for a pair of shorts but these shorts go above and beyond just being a style choice.
Many homeowners ask, “Is 72 a good temperature for heat in the winter?” The answer largely depends on personal preference and lifestyle, but generally, 72 degrees is considered a comfortable indoor temperature by most standards. It provides a warm atmosphere without overburdening the heating system.
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 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.
If you can't keep your home at that exact temperature, or if 65 degrees is a little too chilly for your personal preferences, board-certified sleep medicine physician Funke Afolabi-Brown, MD, suggests aiming for something in the broader temperature range of 60 to 72 degrees for the best sleep environment possible.
Everyone is different, and that's definitely true when it comes to ideal room temperature. That being said, the average room temperature in most homes falls somewhere between 68 and 76°F. (Interested in learning more about home automation and how it could benefit your family? You can learn more here.)
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.
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.
During heat waves, experts, including utility companies, recommend keeping your thermostat no more than 20 degrees cooler than the outdoor temperature. For instance, if it's 100 degrees outside, aim to set your thermostat to at least 80 degrees.
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.
The Ideal AC Temperature
Between 74-77 degrees F (23-25 degrees C). This will limit the strain on your cooling system, keep energy bills reasonable, and help prevent the coils from freezing.
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.
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.
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.
People generally sleep best at night in rooms between 60 to 67 degrees. However, only you can determine your ideal temperature. If 67 is too cold for you, go up a few degrees until you reach a temperature that's still cool but comfortable.