Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the scorching summer heat hits, everyone runs to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right air conditioning temperature isn’t just about staying comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and decreasing your power costs. So, what’s the magic temperature? The answer relies upon on your distinct needs and the time of day. Explore the optimal air conditioner temperature range when you’re at home, out as well as when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The optimal daytime, at-home temperature for your air conditioner is 78 degrees. This amount may seem very high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provinces it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a couple of tips to help keep yourself nice and cool at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether you’re using a ceiling fan or a desk fan, circulating air will make the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost very little to use compared to your air conditioning unit.
• Dress lightly: What you are wearing drastically impacts your comfort level. Dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics can help you be cool during the summer months.
• Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows can easily heat a room tremendously. To stop your home from becoming a greenhouse, hang curtains or blinds to block out the sun, especially during the peak afternoon hours.
• Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a significant part in managing your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration improves your body’s normal cooling processes.
• Cook smart: Cooking generates considerable heat, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, so don’t use the oven or stove during the hot afternoon. Instead, cook food in the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outdoors until the weather isn’t so hot.

The Best AC Temperature While You’re Away

The DOE proposes setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re going to be out of the house for eight hours, a move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling costs. Installing a programmable thermostat is the easiest way to save without sacrificing comfort.

This improvement allows you to automatically modify the temperature at different times of the day or week based on your schedule, reducing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The key is to use your programmable thermostat in the correct way. Here are some tips for taking advantage of its full potential:

• Set it and forget it: Configure your thermostat to automatically turn the temperature up about a half hour before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, time the recovery period so a comfortable temperature resumes when you walk in the door when you get home.
• Use the vacation setting: If you’re away from home for an extended period, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This avoids too much heat and humidity buildup without throwing away energy on cooling an empty house.
• Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works smoothly and efficiently at steady speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop won’t cool your home more quickly. If you have to, drop the temperature by a single degree and start up a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
• Leverage smart capabilities: If you have a smart thermostat, make the most of its programming capability and extra features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and change the temperature accordingly or be controlled remotely for outstanding comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to head off to bed, the DOE suggests setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your normal setting. However, lots of people find it hard to sleep in a warm room. This makes getting the ideal sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can use several techniques to beat the heat while you drift off to sleep:

• Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime attire, your choice of night clothes influences how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also affect your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the very best choice.
• Run a fan: As it does during the day, a fan can create a cool breeze in your bedroom at bedtime, making sleep more comfortable.
• Open a window: If it cools off at night, take advantage of this by going to bed with the windows open.
• Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound counterintuitive, but a warm shower really cools you down faster than a cold shower. It works by boosting your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away faster.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in Edmonton

Balancing indoor comfort and energy efficiency is sometimes difficult. Why spend all summer guessing at the perfect AC temperatures when Rob's Albertan Service Experts can help you make the most of your air conditioning? Our high-quality, cost-effective AC services in Edmonton are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with absolute confidence. Call 780-800-9047 today to schedule the premium services you need with Rob's Albertan Service Experts.