Your house may not be
It is because of the temperature gradient. Basically, your thermostat is probably on an inside wall. At its central location, it feels the house to be 72, whether the heat is on or the ac is. But as you get closer to the outside walls, the temperature is going to get closer to the outside temperature.
When the thermostat reads warm but the air feels cold, a number of issues could be at play. Your house could be cold due to an old air filter, a faulty furnace, improper insulation, or leaky ductwork. The simple fixes, like replacing an air filter, are relatively easy to complete.
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:
While there's no one-size-fits-all definition, the average room temperature generally falls between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. So, when you hear someone mention "room temperature," they're likely referring to that range.
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.
The World Health Organization recommends a thermostat setting no lower than 68 degrees while you're home. If you have children or seniors in your house, that number increases to at least 70 degrees. If your house is too cold, it can cause problems with blood pressure and circulation, as well as affect your heart rate.
Cooling a house from 90 degrees to 72 degrees typically takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on various factors.
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.
Inadequate Insulation
A common reason for a cold house is often insufficient insulation. Insulation serves as a barrier, preventing heat from escaping and cold air from entering. In homes with inadequate insulation, this thermal barrier is compromised, resulting in heat loss and difficulty retaining warmth.
There are multiple factors but the main reason is the dry air. Dry air causes evaporation of the moisture from our skin which in the process makes us feel cooler. Meanwhile humid air hinders evaporation doing the opposite.
Setting your thermostat just a single digit higher can help you save 6 percent on your cooling costs, according to the EPA.
While away on long periods of time, such as vacation, we don't recommend setting the temperature any lower than 50 degrees (F). One of the last things you want is to come back home and find busted pipes and water damage throughout your home.
Make sure your home is warm enough. Set your thermostat to at least 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees F can lead to hypothermia in older adults. To stay warm at home, wear long underwear under your clothes, along with socks and slippers.
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.
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.
Sleep experts believe the best temperature for great sleep is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. But in addition to making you uncomfortable and interfering with healthy sleep patterns, being too hot at any time of day or night can cause health risks like dehydration and heat stroke.
What is the Healthiest Temperature to Keep in Your House? The sweet spot for indoor temperature is typically around 20-22 degrees Celsius (68-72 degrees Fahrenheit). This range promotes better sleep, aids concentration, and supports overall physical comfort. Straying too far from this range may lead to health issues.
Cold homes contribute to excess winter mortality and morbidity. Most of the health burden can be attributed to both respiratory and cardiovascular disease, especially for older people. In children, the excess winter health burden is mostly due to respiratory disease.
Determining what temperature your house should be in the winter is crucial not only for comfort but also for managing energy costs. While 72 is a good temperature for heat in the winter, setting your thermostat even a few degrees lower can significantly save energy and reduce thermal energy costs.
Heat Index
Caution (80°F – 90°F HI); • Extreme Caution (91°F – 103°F HI); • Danger (103°F – 124°F HI); and, • Extreme Danger (126°F or higher HI).
Your pipes are at risk of freezing any time temperatures drop below 32°F. However, it's much more common for pipes to freeze when temperatures dip below 20°F. The longer the weather remains below freezing, the more likely it is your pipes can freeze if not properly protected and winterized.