What number should the thermostat be on?

Author: Ms. Keira Mitchell Sr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 21, 2025

However, experts generally recommend setting your thermostat within the range of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius) for moderate comfort and energy efficiency. This range strikes a balance between keeping you cozy and minimizing energy consumption.

What is the best number to set your thermostat?

The optimal range to set your thermostat is between 68 and 79 degrees. Keeping your home too cold or too hot could cause issues you don't want.

Is 72 too high for a thermostat in winter?

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.

Is 70 a good house temperature?

Whether 70 degrees Fahrenheit is considered cold for a house can depend on personal preference and the context of the climate. Generally, 70°F is viewed as a comfortable room temperature for most people.

What number should I put my AC on?

The recommended rule of thumb for summertime is to set the temperature to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're home and higher when you're away. In general, set it to 82 degrees Fahrenheit when you're asleep and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you're away.

Why is my thermostat reading higher than setting?

Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning?

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.

Should AC be on auto or on?

There are benefits to having your air conditioner set to “auto” and “on.” The benefits of the “auto” setting include higher efficiency, lower energy bills, better humidity control, less wear and tear on some components, and quieter running.

Is 70 too cold for AC in summer?

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.

What should I set my thermostat to in the summer?

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.

Is 72 considered hot or cold?

Various studies have shown the "ideal" temperature for humans to feel most comfortable is 72 degrees. Of course, again this would be quite debatable as the spread among individuals simply is going to vary from person to person based on their own sense of what feels cold, warm, hot, or "just right."

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 do people set their AC to at night?

People generally sleep best at night in rooms between 60 to 67 degrees. However, only you can determine your ideal temperature. If 67 is too cold for you, go up a few degrees until you reach a temperature that's still cool but comfortable.

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.

What is the healthiest thermostat setting?

We recommend the following as the best thermostat settings:
  • For warmer times, set your thermostat at 78° F during daytime. Set it to 86° F if you leave the house.
  • For cooler times, set your thermostat to 68° F while you're at home and awake. Lower it to 65° F when you sleep.

What is the best AC setting to save money?

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.

What is the cheapest temperature to keep your house in winter?

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.

Is 72 too high for thermostat in summer?

ASHRAE, unlike the EPA, specifies an ideal number to set a building's thermostat to. It's a range, actually: around 23°-26°C, or 73.4°-78.8°F, in the summer.

What is the best setting for home thermostat?

What temperature should you keep your house at? 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.

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 is my AC set to 70 but reads 80?

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.

What is the lowest I should set my AC?

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.

What mode should my AC be on?

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.

Is it OK to leave AC on auto?

on this, you might wonder, “Should I leave my AC on auto?” If you want to minimize energy consumption without compromising comfort, the auto setting often makes the best choice. Of course, this approach can pose some drawbacks, depending on the season. If the weather is mild, you may not run the AC very much.

Why is AC not blowing cold air?

First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.

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