Set Your Thermostat Higher Instead, learn to live with a little heat by setting your thermostat a little higher. We recommend setting it at around the 75-78 degrees mark.
The answer is to set it as high as you can to still maintain a level of comfort. The Department of Energy (DOE) recommends a setting of 78 degrees when you're home and 80 degrees when you're away.
Somewhere around 78 degrees is a reasonable temperature to save energy and meet your needs when you're at home. Installing a smart thermostat will help keep a regular cooling schedule.
When temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside, setting your air conditioning (AC) to around 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit is generally considered efficient. Here are some reasons for this recommendation:
What is a healthy temperature to set your air conditioner to for heating? The general recommendation is that the temperature in your home should be between 18 and 22°C. This range is comfortable for most people and will be the most efficient use of energy.
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.
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.
For the most efficient performance, set the thermostat 20 degrees lower than the temperature outside. On a 100℉ day, set it to 78℉ to 80℉ to manage utility costs. If there's a lack of airflow, the filter may need to be changed or AC vents cleaned.
Just because the outdoor temperature is above 100, the Ideal temperature to set your AC unit to doesn't change — it's 78 degrees. Higher temperatures in the home are to be expected when the weather is hotter than usual, but your thermostat can still be set the same as if it were a lower temperature outside.
Cooling a house from 90 degrees to 72 degrees typically takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on various factors.
You can help out by lowering the temperature in your home by closing drapes during the day and limiting appliance usage. Also, turn the thermostat up a few degrees to give your air conditioner a bit of a break when you know it will be working overtime.
Optimize Your Air Conditioning
To optimize your air conditioning: Set the Thermostat Wisely: Keep your thermostat set at a comfortable but efficient temperature, ideally around 78°F (25°C). Every degree below this can increase your energy use by about 6-8%.
The Safest Temperature for Humans and Pets
Heat can be dangerous, so you don't want to let your home get too hot. The absolute highest you should set your thermostat is around 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Definitely don't turn your thermostat to the off position to save save money! Instead, we suggest keeping your A/C on, but turning it up a couple of degrees so it doesn't have to work as hard. Other suggestions include: Turn your A/C up as close to 80 as you comfortably can.
Your AC might not cool properly due to thermostat issues, an undersized unit, or extremely high outdoor temps—so check those first. Keep an eye on airflow—replace clogged filters every 3 months, and make sure vents and ducts aren't blocked for efficient cooling.
The ideal temperature for your AC depends on several factors. In general, it's recommended to keep your thermostat between 24°C (75°F) and 26°C (78°F) for a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency. Setting your AC lower won't cool the room much more but will make it run harder and cost you more money.
Some of the basics include: turn your thermostat up a couple degrees and deal with 76 to 78 degree temperatures indoors for a few days. close off unused rooms. close doors and vents.
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.
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.
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.
For instance, if it's 100 degrees outside, aim to set your thermostat to at least 80 degrees. Adhering to the 20-degree rule maintains energy efficiency, prevents strain on your cooling system, extends its lifespan, and promotes lower energy bills and consistent indoor comfort.
Summer Air Conditioner Settings
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.
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.
For most people, 75 degrees is too hot to sleep, per the National Sleep Foundation. But the new study found that in people 65 and up, sleep efficiency only started to decrease when temperatures were above 77 degrees.