Is 74 degrees good for AC in summer?

Author: Cassandre Deckow  |  Last update: Sunday, May 4, 2025

In summer, the best mode for your air conditioner is the "Cool" mode, set to a comfortable temperature around 78°F when you're home. This setting efficiently reduces indoor humidity and maintains a comfortable environment without overworking the AC system.

Is 74 too low for AC?

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.

Is 74 a good temperature for air conditioning in summer?

A common recommendation for air conditioner settings in the summer is to keep it around 75 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 26 degrees Celsius) when you're home. This balance can help maintain comfort while also being energy-efficient.

Does keeping the AC at 74 save money?

According to Jeff Brooks with Duke Energy, AC costs account for half of your energy bill. Keeping your home at 74 degrees or higher in the summer is a best practice, and turn it up even higher when you're away from home.

Is 74 degrees too hot for a house?

A temperature of 74°F (about 23°C) is generally considered comfortable for most people in a house. It is on the warmer side compared to typical air conditioning settings, which often range from 70°F to 72°F.

How to Run Your Air Conditioner in Summer and Winter | 2024 Update

Is 74 considered cool?

In general, the ideal room temperature and your home for both efficiency and comfort fall somewhere between 68° and 76°F.

Is 74 a good temperature to save money on electricity?

For every one degree you go up in temperature, you're reducing your energy usage by about 1%. "The difference between 72 to 74 might be very impactful to your bill, without really making you any more uncomfortable," said Dave Schrader with NRG.

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.

What is the most comfortable temperature for AC?

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.

Should I set my AC to 75?

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.

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.

Why is my AC set to 74 but reads 78?

If the temperature is set to 74°F but the thermometer shows 78°F, you will have to recalibrate the thermostat to account for this 4-degree deviation. Even with older AC units or furnaces, you might have to recalibrate your thermostat from time to time.

What should I set my AC to at night?

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.

Why won t my AC drop below 74?

Key Takeaways. 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.

Which mode is best for AC in summer?

Cool mode: Ideal for hot days, this mode reduces the room temperature to your desired setting. Dry mode: Perfect for humid conditions, this mode removes excess moisture from the air without significantly reducing the temperature.

What is the lowest recommended AC temp?

An AC unit is happiest creating space temperatures no lower than 68 degrees fahrenheit. I know some of you out there are all, “I keep MINE at 66 and it's FINE!” OK, sure, but you're walking the line, tempting fate and living dangerously.

Is 74 a good temperature for air conditioning?

If it's just you and your spouse, you may be fine with the temperature set at 75-77. But if you have kids and pets running around, or you're cooking and using your oven, these things can all raise the indoor temperature noticeably. So, you might find a temperature setting in the 72-74 range more comfortable.

Is 75 degrees too hot to sleep?

Research shows sleep can be disrupted by temperatures anywhere below 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. But for most people, heat interferes with sleep more than cold does. Sleep experts believe the best temperature for great sleep is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the best thermostat setting for summer?

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. Programmable thermostats can help make monitoring your home's temperature while you're away easy.

Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning in 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.

Is it OK for AC to run constantly in summer?

Here's the thing: It's normal for your AC to run continuously during hot summer months. You see, on extremely hot days—we're talkin' high 90s to 100s—your system needs to keep up with the incoming heat. To do that, it will run longer in order to maintain a constant, desired temperature in your home.

What should I set my AC at during heatwave?

Rochester Electric and Gas recommends setting your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, as each degree above 75 degrees saves 3% of energy on cooling. A higher internal temperature actually slows heat flowing into your living space, so it saves additional money on air conditioning.

Is 74 too hot for a room?

In reality, the average range is anywhere between 68 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal room temperature will vary according to season, activity, and the area of your home. During winter time, the standard temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is 74 too high for a thermostat?

It's generally recommended to set the thermostat to a temperature that you find comfortable; however, the World Health Organization recommends keeping room temperatures below 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit at night for health and comfort.

Is 73 too low for AC?

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.

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