Best Temperature for Your AC in the Summer

When the sweltering summer heat hits, everyone scrambles 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 lowering your energy bills. So, what’s the magic number? The answer relies upon on your distinct requirements and the time of day. Explore the ideal air conditioner temperatures when you’re at home, out and about as well as when you are sleeping.

The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home

The recommended daytime, at-home temperature for a home’s AC is 78 degrees. This amount may seem remarkably high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provinces it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to help keep yourself comfortable at 78 degrees:

• Use fans: Whether it is a ceiling fan or a desk fan, flowing air actually makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost very little to operate compared to your AC.
• Dress lightly: What you wear significantly impacts your comfort level. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics will help you keep cool during the summer months.
• Block out the sun: Sunlight beaming through the windows can heat a room tremendously. To prevent your home from becoming a greenhouse, pull out the curtains or blinds to block out the sun, at least during the peak afternoon hours.
• Stay hydrated: Water consumption has a significant part in regulating your body temperature. Avoiding dehydration boosts 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 heat of the afternoon. Instead, cook food in the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill out on the porch of patio until the weather cools off.

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 move that can save up to 10 percent on your cooling costs. Installing a programmable thermostat is the simplest way to save without sacrificing comfort.

This improvement allows you to automatically change the temperature at different times of the day or week according to your schedule, reducing your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The trick is to make use of your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some tips for taking advantage of its full capabilities:

• Set it and forget it: Schedule 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, time the recovery period so a comfortable temperature resumes as soon as you walk in the door when you return.
• Use the vacation setting: If you’re not going to be home for several days, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This stops excessive heat and humidity buildup without wasting energy on cooling an empty house.
• Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioning system works smoothly and efficiently at regular speeds. Plus, a dramatic 10-degree drop will not cool your home any faster. If you must, decrease the temperature by only one degree and switch on 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 adjust the temperature accordingly or be managed remotely for exceptional 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 usual setting. However, a number of people find it hard to sleep in a warm room. This makes finding the suitable sleep temperature a real challenge. Thankfully, you can try 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 sleepwear 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 option.
• Run a fan: Just like during the day, a fan can generate a cool breeze in your bedroom at bedtime, making sleep more comfortable.
• Open a window: If it cools down at night, reap the benefits of this by sleeping with the windows open.
• Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound odd, but a warm shower truly cools you down faster than a cold shower. It achieves this by increasing your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away more quickly.

Schedule AC Services this Summer in Calgary

Balancing your home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be challenging. Why spend all summer searching for the ideal AC temperatures when A1 Chesney Service Experts can help you make the most of your home cooling technology? Our trustworthy, cost-effective AC services in Calgary are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with complete confidence. Call 587-315-5271 today to schedule the premium services you need with A1 Chesney Service Experts.