Keeping your home comfortable during the summer can be challenging, especially when balancing everyone’s preferences and keeping energy costs down. While lowering the AC to beat the heat is tempting, there are smarter ways to stay cool without overworking your system or inflating your energy bill.
This guide will show you how to find the ideal temperature for your family while offering tips to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long.
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What Temperature to Set Your AC at In Summer
Summer brings the warmth and sunshine that many people look forward to all year. However, along with the sunny days comes the challenge of staying cool indoors. The key to a comfortable home during the summer months is finding the right temperature to set your air conditioner (AC) at. Setting it too low can lead to high energy bills, while setting it too high might leave you feeling uncomfortable. Here’s how to strike the perfect balance.
Ideal Temperature Setting for Comfort and Efficiency
The ideal temperature setting for your AC during the summer is around 24-26°C (75-78°F). This temperature range provides a comfortable environment for most people while keeping energy consumption at a reasonable level. If you’re used to cooler indoor temperatures, this might seem a bit warm at first, but your body can quickly adjust, especially if you dress in lighter clothing and use fans to help circulate the air.
Why 24-26°C is Recommended
- Energy Efficiency: Air conditioners are one of the most significant contributors to your electricity bill during the summer. Every degree lower you set your thermostat can increase energy usage by about 6-8%. By setting your AC at 24-26°C, you’re striking a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency. You’ll still enjoy a cool home without the shock of a massive electricity bill at the end of the month.
- Humidity Control: Your air conditioner doesn’t just cool the air; it also removes moisture, helping to control humidity levels in your home. At 24-26°C, your AC will efficiently manage indoor humidity, making the air feel cooler and more comfortable without the need to crank down the temperature.
- Health Considerations: Extremely cold indoor temperatures can lead to health issues such as dry skin, sore throats, and even respiratory problems. Maintaining your AC at a moderate temperature helps to avoid these issues, ensuring that your indoor environment remains healthy as well as comfortable.
Adjusting the Temperature When You’re Away
One of the best ways to save on energy costs is to adjust your thermostat when you’re not home. If you’re going to be out for several hours, consider setting your thermostat 5-8°C higher than your usual setting. For example, if you typically keep your home at 24°C, set it to 29-32°C while you’re away. This way, your AC isn’t working hard to cool an empty house, saving energy and money.
Investing in a programmable thermostat can make this even easier. These devices allow you to set your AC to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day. You can program it to cool your home down shortly before you return, so you walk into a comfortable environment without wasting energy cooling a space.
Additional Tips to Keep Cool
Besides setting your AC to the right temperature, there are other ways to keep your home cool during the summer:
- Use Fans: Ceiling fans or portable fans can help circulate cool air throughout your home, making the temperature feel more comfortable without needing to lower the thermostat.
- Block Out the Sun: Close curtains or blinds during the hottest parts of the day to block out direct sunlight, which can significantly increase indoor temperatures.
- Seal Leaks: Ensure that your windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent cool air from escaping and warm air from entering.
Tips for Staying Cooler Without Lowering Your AC
As the temperature rises, it can be tempting to crank up the air conditioner (AC) to stay cool. However, relying solely on your AC can lead to higher energy bills and unnecessary strain on the system. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your home cooler without lowering the AC temperature. Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help you stay comfortable while saving energy.
Maintain Your AC
The first step to staying cool is ensuring your AC is running at its best. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your AC efficient and effective. Schedule a professional HVAC maintenance visit in early spring, before the hot weather hits. This ensures that any potential issues are addressed, and your system is ready to perform.
In addition to professional maintenance, you can take on a few simple tasks yourself. Keep the AC’s coils, fins, ducts, and filters clean and in good shape. Regular cleaning prevents dust and debris from reducing the system’s efficiency, helping it to cool your home more effectively.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable or smart thermostat can be a game-changer for managing your home’s temperature. These thermostats allow you to set a schedule that aligns with your daily routine. For example, you can program the thermostat to raise the temperature when you leave for work and lower it before you return. This way, you’re not cooling an empty house, saving energy and money without sacrificing comfort.
Installing a programmable thermostat is relatively affordable, typically ranging from $170 to $190. It’s a small investment that can lead to significant savings on your energy bill.
Add Blackout Shades and Insulated Curtains
Sunlight streaming through your windows can quickly raise the temperature inside your home. To combat this, consider installing light-blocking shades or blackout curtains. These window treatments are designed to block out the sun’s rays, reducing the amount of heat that enters your home.
Before you leave the house in the morning, close all the shades, especially those that get direct sunlight. In addition to shades, insulated curtains can further help by slowing down the loss of cool air when your AC is running. They also provide added benefits like muffling outside noise and keeping your home warmer in the winter.
Tint the Windows
Another effective way to keep your home cooler is by applying window tinting film. Window tinting allows you to maintain natural light in your home while reducing the amount of heat that enters. This simple addition can make a noticeable difference in how cool your home feels without needing to lower the AC temperature.
Reduce Humidity
High humidity levels can make your home feel warmer than it actually is. To keep things comfortable, aim for a humidity level between 30% and 50%. You can reduce humidity by avoiding moisture-producing appliances like rice cookers or hot pots. Additionally, opt for warm showers instead of hot ones and avoid boiling food for long periods.
Wait to Use Hot Appliances
Large appliances like stoves, ovens, and clothes dryers generate a lot of heat, which can increase your home’s temperature. On hot summer days, try to avoid using these appliances whenever possible. If you need to use them, wait until later in the evening when the temperature outside has cooled down.
Seal Windows and Doors
Drafty windows and doors can let cool air escape and hot air enter, making your AC work harder. To prevent this, seal any gaps with weatherstripping or caulk. If your windows are old or broken, consider replacing them. Also, if you open windows at night to let in cool air, be sure to close them again in the morning before turning on the AC.
Turn on Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are an excellent way to circulate air and make your home feel cooler. Before you decide to lower the AC temperature, try turning on or installing ceiling fans. Make sure the fans are set to rotate counterclockwise in summer mode, which helps create a cooling breeze throughout your home.
Tips for Finding a Comfortable Home Temperature for Your Family
While recommended AC temperature settings work for most people, they might not be perfect for your family. Factors like age, personal comfort, sleeping habits, location, and the type of house you live in all play a role in determining the best AC setting for your home. Here’s how you can find a temperature that works for everyone.
- Start with Standard Settings: Begin by setting your AC to 72°F (22°C) during the day when you’re at home, 79°F (26°C) when you’re away, and 65°F (18°C) at night.
- Give It Time: Let the AC run at these temperatures for three to four days without making any adjustments. This allows everyone to get used to the settings.
- Check-In with Everyone: After the trial period, ask everyone in your household how they felt at these temperatures, both when they woke up and during the day.
- Adjust Gradually: If anyone is still uncomfortable despite these settings, try lowering the temperature by one degree. Keep it in the new setting for another three to four days, then reassess how everyone feels.
This gradual approach helps you find a temperature that keeps everyone comfortable while avoiding constant adjustments.