Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat arrives, everyone scrambles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC setting isn’t just about staying comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and reducing your power costs. So, what’s the secret temperature? The answer relies upon on your unique requirements 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 suggested daytime, at-home temperature for a home’s AC is 78 degrees. This amount may seem surprisingly high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to help keep yourself nice and cool at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether you’re using a ceiling fan or a desk fan, moving air makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost a surprisingly small amount of money to use compared to your AC.
• Dress lightly: What you wear drastically influences your comfort level. Dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics can help you keep cool during the summer months.
• Block out the sun: Sunlight radiating through the windows can heat a room tremendously. To keep 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 consumption has a huge part in managing your body temperature. Staying hydrated enhances your body’s natural cooling processes.
• Cook smart: Cooking generates a surprising amount of heat, forcing your AC to work harder, so don’t 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 cools off.

The Best AC Temperature While You’re Away

The DOE recommends setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re not going to be home for eight hours, a move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Setting up a programmable thermostat is the quickest method to save without giving up comfort.

This upgrade allows you to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day or week depending on your schedule, decreasing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The key is to use your programmable thermostat in the correct way. Here are some guidelines for harnessing its full power:

• Set it and forget it: Schedule your thermostat to automatically turn the thermostat up to your away temperature about half an hour or so before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, program the schedule 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 several days, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This prevents extreme heat and humidity buildup without needlessly using energy on cooling an empty house.
• Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioner works most efficiently at consistent speeds. Plus, a significant 10-degree drop won’t cool your home any faster. If you need to, decrease the temperature by a single degree and turn on a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
• Leverage smart capabilities: If you have a smart thermostat, capitalize on its programming capability and advanced features. Some models can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be operated remotely for outstanding comfort and convenience.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping

When it’s time to go to bed, the DOE advises that you should consider setting the temperature 4 degrees higher than your typical setting. However, many people find it tough to sleep in a hot room. This makes getting the right sleep temperature a struggle. Thankfully, you can use several methods 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 affects how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also can be a factor in your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the very best solution.
• Run a fan: Just like during the day, a fan can create a cool breeze in your bedroom in the evening, making sleep more comfortable.
• Open a window: If it cools off at night, take advantage of this by sleeping with the windows open.
• Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound counterintuitive, but a warm shower really cools you down better than a cold shower. It works by boosting your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away more rapidly.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in Winnipeg

Finding a compromise between your home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. Why spend all summer guessing at the ideal AC temperatures when Winnipeg Supply Service Experts can help you make the most of your system? Our high-quality, cost-effective AC services in Winnipeg are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with absolute confidence. Call 204-800-0613 today to schedule the top-notch services you need with Winnipeg Supply Service Experts.