Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat strikes, everyone scrambles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right air conditioner temperature isn’t just about getting comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and limiting your utility expenses. So, what’s the secret temperature? The answer relies upon on your distinct demands and the time of day. Explore the best AC temperature range when you’re at home, out and about or when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The recommended 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) claims it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some tips to help keep yourself comfortable at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether it is a ceiling fan or a desk fan, circulating air will make the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost a surprisingly small amount of money to operate compared to your air conditioner.
• Dress lightly: What you wear significantly impacts your comfort level. Dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics can help you keep cool when it’s hot outside.
• Block out the sun: Sunlight streaming through the windows can easily heat a room a lot. To stop your home from becoming a greenhouse, draw the curtains or blinds to block out the sun, particularly during the peak afternoon hours.
• Stay hydrated: Water intake plays a big part in controlling your body temperature. Making sure you keep yourself hydrated improves your body’s self-cooling processes.
• Cook smart: Cooking creates a surprising amount of heat, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, so try not to use the oven or stove during the heat of the afternoon. Instead, make use of the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill outside until the weather isn’t so hot.

The Best AC Temperature While You’re Away

The DOE advises setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re not home for eight hours, a strategy experts say can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Setting up a programmable thermostat is the simplest method to save without relinquishing comfort.

This upgrade allows you to automatically change the temperature at different times of the day or week based on your schedule, lowering your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The trick is to make use of your programmable thermostat properly. Here are some tips for harnessing its full potential:

• Set it and forget it: Configure your thermostat to automatically turn the temperature up about half an hour or so before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, set the thermostat to start bringing the temperature back down so a comfortable temperature resumes as soon as you walk in the door in the evening.
• Use the vacation setting: If you’re going to be out of your home for a long time, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to maintain the “away” temperature for days at a time. This avoids too much heat and humidity buildup without needlessly using energy to run your air conditioner in an empty house.
• Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works most efficiently at consistent speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop will not cool your home more rapidly. If you need to, lower the temperature by just one degree and switch on a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
• Leverage smart capabilities: If you choose a smart thermostat, make the most of its programming capability and advanced features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and adapt 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 go to bed, the DOE suggests setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your usual setting. However, a number of people find it hard to sleep in a hot and stuffy room. This makes achieving the right sleep temperature a problem. Thankfully, you can use several methods to beat the heat while you go to sleep:

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

Schedule AC Services this Summer in Fort Lauderdale

Balancing a home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be challenging. Why spend all summer searching for the right AC temperatures when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help you make the most of your home cooling technology? Our trustworthy, cost-effective AC services in Fort Lauderdale are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with total confidence. Call 954-736-4314 today to schedule the premium services you need with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.