What AC temp is too low?

Author: Garland Hickle  |  Last update: Monday, April 7, 2025

When the AC temperature is too low, between 60-67 degrees F (15-19 degrees C), the evaporator coil inside the unit can get excessively cold.

What temperature is too low to run AC?

But you shouldn't run your AC if the temperature is below 60°F. Heat pumps: Modern heat pumps are effective at around 25 to 30°F. Ductless mini-splits: Avoid using the cooling function when temperatures fall below 60°F.

Is 72 degrees too cold for an air conditioner?

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.

Is 68 too low to set your AC?

During a heatwave, we recommend that you don't lower the AC's setting below 68°F. This is already quite chilly for most people, and many would consider it too cold. An air conditioner set this low risk of its coil freezing—and that's bad news because it indicates that the air conditioner is overworked.

How cold is too cold to run an air conditioner?

The lowest outside temperature at which to run your AC is typically around 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. At temperatures below this range, your air conditioner might not operate efficiently, causing increased energy consumption and potential strain on the system.

What Temperatures Is Too Low For A Heat Pump?

Will AC freeze up if set too low?

If your thermostat is set too low, the air conditioner will run for longer periods of time which can cause it to freeze up. To prevent this from happening, you should make sure your thermostat is set to the proper temperature. This will help your AC run more efficiently and avoid any freezing issues.

Is 65 too cold for AC?

This A/C unit, a 2019 build, is in a constant state of repair and has more new parts than original at this point. What's the recommended safe temperature? 65° is a fair benchmark to use and ideally the temperature should remain above 60° for 2-3 days before testing.

Does keeping the AC at 72 save money?

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.

What is the lowest I can set my AC?

What's the 20-Degree Rule for My Air Conditioner? 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.

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.

How cool should my house be if it's 110 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.

Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning at night?

The National Sleep Foundation says 60-67 is a good temperature for sleep, but that might be too cold for you and increase your cooling bill. As a compromise, 70-plus degrees is a good setting.

Is it bad to run AC below 70 degrees?

Do not set your thermostat below 70 degrees as it will not cool any faster and could freeze up the system causing more problems. Understand that there is generally a 20 degree difference between indoor air and outside temperatures.

Is 68 too cold 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.

What happens if you set your AC too low?

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.

What should the AC be set at night?

Recommended AC Temperature for Sleeping

The recommended range is 60–68°, so there is some wiggle room.

What is the lowest temperature you can set air conditioning?

So, how cold can my air con go? Most air conditioning units are designed to go as low as 17°C, but do note that air conditioners are designed to achieve an inside temperature that is up to 11°C lower than the outside temperature.

Is 72 too low for AC?

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.

What is the lowest point of AC?

The minimum point of AC curve falls towards right of AVC curve because AC continue to fall even after AVC starts rising because AFC falls.

Is 68 too cold for AC?

Set a reasonable temperature: HVAC professionals strongly recommend never setting the thermostat lower than 68 degrees in the summer. To balance comfort and energy efficiency, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees when you're at home and awake.

Why not set the thermostat at 72?

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.

Is it better to run AC all day or just at night?

leaving it on all day and night is better for the HVAC system because it's less taxing. Should you turn off your AC when on vacation? HVAC experts agree it's better to keep your AC on when you're on vacation, especially if you don't plan to leave any windows open.

What is the lowest I should set my AC?

For example, HVAC specialists recommend setting your thermostat no lower than 20 degrees the outside temperature. Suppose the outdoor temperature in your area is a blistering 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It's probably best to keep your thermostat between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent stress on your unit.

Is 64 too low for AC?

When the AC temperature is too low, between 60-67 degrees F (15-19 degrees C), the evaporator coil inside the unit can get excessively cold. If the humidity in the room is high, condensation can accumulate on the coil, which may lead to the formation of frost or ice.

Previous article
What is the allowable deflection of sheet pile wall?
Next article
How long is Sherwin-Williams paint guaranteed for?