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.
During extreme heat, the best air conditioner setting is around 24-26°C (75-78°F). This setting balances comfort and energy efficiency, ensuring effective cooling without overloading the system. Using fans to circulate air and keeping blinds or curtains closed can help maintain a cooler indoor environment.
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.
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.
AUTO is significantly more energy efficient between the two modes since the fan is only running when your AC is going through its cooling cycle. This takes less power, which is more budget-friendly, with some estimates showing you can save as much as $50 per month just by keeping your AC on AUTO.
Auto mode is ideal for homeowners who want to maintain a consistent temperature in their homes without having to constantly adjust the settings.
In most cases, auto is the best option, but there are instances where you may want to use the on setting or a combination of both called circulate. There is no right or wrong answer, but by understanding the pros and cons of each setting, you can use them more efficiently for your home.
In the summer, experts say the thermostat for your air conditioner should be set to at least 78°F during the day when people are at home. That setting is designed to help people avoid high energy bills in the summer. The lower your thermostat setting, the higher your bill.
Keeping your fan on AUTO is the most energy-efficient option. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously. There is better dehumidification in your home during the summer months. When your fan is set to AUTO, moisture from cold cooling coils can drip and be drained outside.
Use Sleep Mode or Timer
Many AC units come with a sleep mode or timer feature, allowing you to set a specific duration for the AC to run before shutting off automatically. According to the International Energy Agency, using these features can save up to 30% of the energy consumed by an air conditioner .
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.
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.
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.
Consumer satisfaction research company Canstar Blue says that for optimum cooling and energy efficiency, it's best to set your air conditioner's temperature in summer to 24-25 degrees. Every degree cooler than this optimum temperature will generally consume about 10 percent or more energy.
With the heating mode, the air conditioner can make your space warm. If you turn on the heating mode for the first 3 to 5 minutes, the fan may not work so that cold air does not flow until the air conditioner warms up.
To stay comfortable and save money, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends the best AC setting during summer is 78°F (26°C) when you are home. Setting your air conditioner to this level will allow you to stay cool and avoid an unusually high electricity bill.
WHAT IS THE BEST MODE FOR AC IN SUMMER? 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.
The fan only turns on when cooling or heating is required. If you are generally as comfortable in one room of your home as the next, you'll want to use the AUTO setting. The AC fan kicks in when needed and stops running when the job is done.
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.
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.
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.
Instead of choosing a constant temperature year-round, it's better to keep your house a constant temperature on a seasonal basis. Keeping your home at a higher temperature during the warmer months will mean your air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard.
The 'auto' mode, on the other hand, only runs the fan when the compressor is cooling the air. This can be more energy-efficient overall, as the fan only turns on when needed. Choose 'auto' for energy savings and 'fan' for continuous air movement.
Choose "AUTO" for energy savings and "ON" if you want constant air circulation or improved air filtration. Temperatures can soar or plummet depending on the time of year.
Keeping your thermostat in the AUTO position means less overall energy is being used—and that reduces your utility bills considerably. Not only that, your air filter will last longer than they will if you leave your fan running continuously—in other words, if you leave it in the “on” position.