While it can be tempting to crank your thermostat down to the 60s after a long, hot day, keeping your AC at around 73-78 degrees is ideal for maintaining the efficiency of your system.
There are no industry standards, but there are general suggestions. Many retail stores set their thermostats between 68 degrees and 72 degrees, keeping customers cool and comfortable without stressing the AC system, or their budgets.
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.
Here are some tips to keep your air conditioner running optimally this summer: Set a reasonable temperature: HVAC professionals strongly recommend never setting the thermostat lower than 68 degrees in the summer.
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.
If you want to feel good, as in comfortable, many people will want to lower their thermostat to the low 70s in summer. But if you're talking about saving money on energy and limiting your environmental impact, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a very bad temperature for your AC to reach.
70°F is an ideal temperature setting, regardless of how hot it gets outside. This is a comfortable temperature for most, though you may find that it can feel too cold at times. Any air conditioner set lower than this is at risk of having its coil freeze.
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.
Temperatures below 70 degrees reduce expedited thermal loss, so there is less heat transfer overall. In addition to being comfortable and efficient, 68 degrees is also a great temperature for saving money.
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.
In my experience, it really depends on personal preference and what you're used to. For some people, especially those who like a cozy, warm home, 69 degrees might feel a bit on the chilly side. I remember one winter when my boyfriend and I couldn't agree on the thermostat setting, so we settled at 69 degrees.
There may be drafts and pockets of colder air near the floor; The walls are colder and don't emit the usual amount of infrared radiation, so you lose heat due to your body emitting more IR than it receives; You may spend more time indoors and hence have less physical activity, so your body generates less heat.
WHAT SHOULD I SET MY AC TO AT NIGHT? According to the Cleveland Clinic, the recommended thermostat setting for nighttime is between 60°F and 67°F. 3 Setting your AC within this range can help maintain a comfortable sleeping environment.
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.
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.
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.
Our recommendation: When you head to work or vacation and want to lower your temperature setting, we would not recommend going below 50 degrees F. This strikes a good balance between conserving energy while preventing problems such as: Frozen indoor pipes. Damage from condensation on furnishings and electronics.
Do not set your thermostat below 70 degrees as it will not cool any faster and could freeze up the system causing more problems.
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.
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.
In most cases, especially in residential applications, you should not run your air conditioner when outdoor temperatures are below 60 degrees. The air conditioner does function, but you are going to burn out the compressor fairly quickly.
According to the Department of Energy, you can save about 10% a year on energy costs just by setting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees higher or cooler than normal for 8 hours a day.
In most cases, air conditioners only have one speed (though some have variable speed settings to improve energy efficiency). Lowering the temperature too much causes your air conditioner to operate longer, causing more wear and tear on it as well as higher utility bills.
A more moderate setting like 24°C (75.2°F) can achieve comfort with reduced electricity usage.
The coldest temperature for most air conditioners is typically 16°C (60°F), depending on the model and manufacturer. However, some units may have a minimum temperature setting slightly higher or lower.