Thermostat Operation The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
Or better yet, “What is the most energy saving temperature to set my thermostat at?” According to ENERGYSTAR.gov, the ideal home temperature should be between 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
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.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
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.
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.
According to the DOE, setting your thermostat back 7°F to 10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting can help you save up to 10% in energy costs. This means keeping your thermostat around 78°F in the summer (higher when you're asleep or away) or around 68°F to 70°F in the winter (lower when you're asleep or away).
Finding the right AC temperature for your electricity bill is a balancing act. By setting it around 78°F and considering external factors, you can enjoy comfort and save on energy costs simultaneously. Remember, small adjustments can lead to significant savings over time.
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.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 78° as the best temperature setting for your air conditioner during the daytime. And 82° for sleeping in the summer.
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.
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.
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.
You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.
Don't set your thermostat too low
“You have to keep it really low to really get into a health concern," he said. "What you want to do is keep it at a reasonable temperature that's not chilly.” The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people.
“Anything under 68 degrees overall is ideal for sleep. If you get too hot in the middle of the night, reduce layers of clothing or sheets, turn on fans, or drink a little cold water.”
U.S. Department of Energy research suggests that setting your programmable thermostat to 78 during the summer months is the best way to save money on your cooling costs while maintaining a comfortable temperature.
Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your HVAC system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.
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.
A more moderate setting like 24°C (75.2°F) can achieve comfort with reduced electricity usage.
Energy Saver recommends setting your air conditioner to 78 degrees when you wake up, 85 degrees during the day, and 82 degrees when you're sleeping to save the most money. Kureczka suggests bumping the temperature up to the highest setting you're comfortable with.
The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy people. The minimum temperature should be kept above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the very young, the elderly, or people with health problems. Watch out for signs of hypothermia.
Saves energy
According to the EPA, it is estimated that you get to save 5-15% on your energy bills when you switch to a modern thermostat.
Another outcome is related to a possible “freezing up” of the refrigerant which is present in the air conditioner. 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.