As it turns out, the most efficient way to keep your home cool and the bills low is to leave the AC running—ideally, with the temperature turned up toward the upper 70s.
Since air conditioners use more energy when they cycle all day, it is cheaper to let your system operate at full capacity when you're home instead of running it at a lower capacity all day. The more energy you use, the more money you'll pay in monthly utility bills.
Increase the thermostat
If you are just as comfortable with your thermostat one or two degrees higher than you currently have it set, go ahead and turn it up. Even a one degree difference will have an impact on your energy bill. Many recommend 78 degrees as a good temperature for air conditioners to run efficiently.
It is better for them to run continuously rather than start/stop at brief intervals, but if your unit runs continuously for hours and cannot hold temperature, then you should get it looked at by a pro.
Even if you prefer leaving your air conditioner running when you're home, we recommend turning your system off anytime you leave the house for more than an hour or two. This practice can lower your energy bill and save you money in other ways.
But, If you're going to be away from your home for a longer time, it's best to turn your AC unit completely off. Plus, turning your AC on and off vs. leaving it on all day and night is better for the HVAC system because it's less taxing.
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.
You may appreciate the constant running of your AC in the summer – and especially during a heatwave – but if you continue to run your air conditioning throughout the night and into the morning it could cause damage to not only your health but also the unit itself.
No, it is in fact not bad to keep turning your AC unit on and off. It might seem like a waste of energy to keep tampering with the AC settings throughout the day, but it can actually save you money on your energy bill. Air conditioners work best at cooling and dehumidifying when they run at full speed.
The less your HVAC uses, the lower your electric bill will be. So, keeping your air conditioning summer at a constant temperature helps your home stay comfortable without creating spikes in your HVAC use. Remember that the recommended temperature of 78° F can be used as a baseline.
AUTO is significantly more energy efficient between the two modes since the fan is only running when your AC is going through its cooling cycle. This takes less power, which is more budget-friendly, with some estimates showing you can save as much as $50 per month just by keeping your AC on AUTO.
The answer is that you save the most money and energy if you maintain a consistent temperature while you're at home but let your system rest while you're away. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you leave your A/C thermostat at 78°F when at home and turn it up several degrees warmer when the house is empty.
Eco or energy-saving mode
This is the ideal mode for users looking to save up on energy bills by toning down the performance of the AC and its compressor. Eco-mode uses less electricity by automatically adjusting the fan speed and temperature, while still maintaining a comfortable level of cooling.
As long as your nights are comfortable and cool, and you're not concerned about electricity bills, there shouldn't be much reason to fret about your AC running 24/7.
While it may seem more convenient to keep the AC running 24/7, doing so will consume more energy overall and lead to higher electricity bills. The most cost-effective approach is to turn the AC off or raise the temperature setting when you're away from home or sleeping.
Per the article turning it off then on saves money in every instance, just that different factors can reduce the savings. So off for as long as possible is almost always cheaper, with the possible exception of extreme time dependent pricing, but may not be worthwhile if the savings are low.
According to the Department of Energy1, 78° Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for air conditioners to balance energy savings and comfort when people are at home and need cooling.
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.
As it turns out, the most efficient way to keep your home cool and the bills low is to leave the AC running—ideally, with the temperature turned up toward the upper 70s.
There are a few reasons you don't want to run your AC system all the time: System stress: Your air conditioner unit needs time to take a break. If it's running all the time, it can be damaging to the system and lead to the need for a costly replacement. Energy bills: The cost to run your AC 24/7 can be high.
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.
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.
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.