78°F is generally considered a comfortable temperature for most people in a house, especially in warmer months. It balances comfort and energy efficiency. However, personal preferences and humidity levels can make it feel warmer or cooler, so adjusting slightly up or down may be necessary for optimal comfort.
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 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.
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.
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.
When possible, set your thermostat to at least 78º F in the summer to reduce the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures as much as possible. You can save six to eight percent on your electric bill for every degree your thermostat is raised above 78º F in the summer, according to Smart Energy.
IS 68 TOO COLD FOR AC? Setting your AC to 68°F might feel too cold for some, especially in residential settings, as it is lower than the typical comfort range. However, preferences vary, and this temperature might be suitable for those who prefer cooler environments.
If your thermostat is set at 80+ degrees, then the humidity inside of your home can easily get up above 70%. That's much higher than the recommended ideal indoor humidity of 30-50%. Having indoor humidity above 50% can cause serious issues for your health and your home.
“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.”
The best AC temperature for sleeping
The goldilocks zone: Aim for a temperature between 18°C (64°F) and 22°C (72°F) for optimal sleep comfort. Individual needs: Consider personal preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly. Some people may prefer slightly cooler or warmer settings.
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.
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.
The best room temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 20 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.
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.
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.
The best way to save money is by combining both. The “run” feature lets you preset the temperature when you're not home to prevent wasting money on cooling or heating an empty home. Meanwhile, the “hold” button lets you change the room's temperature without changing your energy-saving, preset schedule.
Sleeping too hot
“Heat is a huge disruptor for REM sleep,” Dr. Drerup says. With the heat of the room, your body temperature will also rise, thus undoing the sleep initiation process entirely. If your bedroom temperature is above 70° F, it's too hot.
Side sleeping helps prevent the airway from collapsing and can reduce snoring. "And so, all in all, sleeping on the side — perhaps with their head slightly elevated as long as that's comfortable — is a good way to sleep," says Dr. Krahn. Side sleeping also is recommended during pregnancy, especially the last trimester.
Other things that a parent can do to prevent SIDS is keeping the room temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and running a ceiling fan that keeps air flowing. Also, according to the AAP report, breastfeeding significantly reduces risk of SIDS, as does keeping a tobacco smoke free environment.
According to ENERGY STAR, a division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 78 degrees Fahrenheit is the most cost-effective AC setting during the summer months. 1 And that's just the recommendation for when you're at home.
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.
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.
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.
Sleeping in a room with the air conditioner set to an appropriate temperature is important for quality sleep. The ideal AC temperature for sleeping is around 65°F (18.3°C). However, this may differ between individuals, who might find their ideal AC temperature lies between 60 and 67°F (15.6 and 19.4°C).
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.