How to Discover the Ideal Temperature for Your Home | Bill Joplin's Air Conditioning & Heating (2024)

FAQs

What is the ideal temperature for home air conditioning? ›

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. But in reality, this is a question that doesn't have a “one size fits all” answer.

Increase the temperature

You can save 10% a year on your cooling bills by setting your thermostat just 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit higher for 8 hours each day, according to the Nebraska Energy Office. The US Department of Energy recommends aiming for an indoor temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home.

The ideal 'Thermostat Setting'

Setting the thermostat to 24°C (75.2°F) balances comfort and energy efficiency. Using ceiling fans in conjunction with ACs further enhances comfort while conserving energy.

We'd actually suggest keeping your home's thermostat in between 72 degrees and 76 degrees to make things as simple and straightforward as possible for your home. It's a reasonable temperature that will keep you cool without overworking your AC.

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.

To What Temperature Should I Set My Air Conditioner In the Summer? According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the recommended temperature setting for your home in summer is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Increase the temperature

You can save 10% a year on your cooling bills by setting your thermostat just 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit higher for 8 hours each day, according to the Nebraska Energy Office. The US Department of Energy recommends aiming for an indoor temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home.

Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your HVAC system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.

Thermostat Operation

The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.

You can also reduce your energy costs significantly by raising the temperature while you are at work, away from home, or asleep. For the greatest savings, consider setting your thermostat to: About 78 degrees while you are at home. About 82 degrees while you are sleeping.

What is the best AC temperature for sleeping? ›

The best AC temp for sleeping varies depending on the individual, but most experts agree on a range between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit (15-19 degrees Celsius). This is because your body temperature naturally declines as you sleep — so a cooler room could help facilitate this drop and encourage better sleep.

The average air conditioner run time for a typical summer day is 12 to 16 hours. But if it's especially hot or humid outside, it could run for 20 hours or more. While your air conditioner will run for several hours during the day, it doesn't do so consecutively.

So, if you don't mind sleeping with a sheet or light blanket at night, you can save money, keep your AC from running at night, and still get a good night's sleep if you keep the thermostat set between 74-76 degrees.

Keep in mind, each degree set above 72 can save you up to 3% on your cooling costs.

In fact, just 1 degree variation can equate to a 10% increase in your energy bill. As a rule of thumb, try not to set the thermostat less than 8 degrees below the outdoor temperature (so if it's 30 degrees outside, aim for 22 or 23 degrees Celsius inside).

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.

According to Energy Star, it's an ideal temperature. 78 degrees keeps you fairly cool and comfortable during the day. It also shouldn't make your electric bill skyrocket. Start with your thermostat at 78.

The ultimate answer to, “How cold is too cold?” may be 68 degrees, but to maintain home comfort without wasting energy, keep your thermostat between 72 and 78 degrees. If you're comfortable at 78, then try bumping it up to 79 … and then 80. If 78 turns out to be too hot, you can try the same thing in reverse.

Most people work better and are more productive when with a temperature setting in the 72–74-degree range. This setting is low enough to keep the house cool and dry and keep you and the kids awake during the afternoon hours.