When summers are at their peak, the utility bills skyrocket, and we blame the air conditioner for it. To some extent, what you think is correct but not entirely. One needs to strike the right balance between comfort and not making the AC work overtime and under pressure. It may seem impossible, yet it is completely doable if you know the ideal temperature settings for the AC. Critical is to note the word “settings” because no one setting is perfect for the entire day.
First Get A Programmable Thermostat
As we just said, a single temperature setting will not suffice for the entire day. There are times when the day is inherently cooler, like night and early morning, and times when the heat is at its peak, like in afternoons. At these times, you would want different temperatures. Similarly, when nobody is at home, there is no point in maintaining the same temperature setting. Hence, if you don’t wish to run back and forth to your thermostat continuously, now would be the perfect time to buy a programmable or smart thermostat.
Programmable and smart thermostats can both be programmed to have different temperature settings for different times of the day. It does away with the need to modify the temperature manually. Once you work out a program that suits the needs of your household, you set it on the thermostat and lay back to enjoy its fruits without any running around.
The Best temperature For AC During the Summer
You may think that the heat has got the better of us when we say so, but it still remains the truth. The ideal temperature setting for the AC during summers is 78℉. Lowering the temperature further is not going to do anything to your home in making it more comfortable.
Every cooling system is built to do the same amount of work irrespective of the temperature setting. Making it lower will just make the AC run longer than necessary. When the AC runs longer, it consumes more power and increases your monthly power bills. If you were to set it to 78℉, it would still cool your house at the same speed but with the added advantage of not running longer than necessary.
Set Higher Temperature When Nobody Is In Residence
What is the point in cooling the house when there is nobody to enjoy its comfort? Switching off the AC altogether is also not a good option if it’s only for a few hours. So what is the next best thing that you can do? The answer is straightforward, when the house is unoccupied, increase the temperature on the thermostat, and that, too, right up to 88℉.
Increasing the temperature will make it more or less similar to what it is outside. When you or the other family members come back home, you won’t find it too cold or too hot. I am sure you must now be thinking, why not shut down the AC altogether at such times. The problem with that is that repeatedly shutting down the system and switching it on again puts tremendous strain on the unit. The strain increases power consumption and, consequently, higher energy bills.
Bedtime Temperature
As per the sleep foundation recommendation, the ideal temperature when you go to bed is 60℉ to 67℉. However, it may change from person to person depending on whether they like the room cooler when they sleep or a little towards the warm side. If you are one of those who love the chill factor, you need to use your judgment. If you want the room cooler just so that you can take a blanket and sleep, it defeats the purpose of running the AC. Instead, increase the temperature a bit or let it remain within the prescribed range and sleep without the blanket.
Use The Ceiling Fan
Many homes have ceiling fans, yet the residents fail to switch them on when it gets too hot. Instead, they rush to the thermostat and lower the temperature further. Using the ceiling fan will help circulate the cool air faster and make your abode comfortable that much quicker. Also, it will give the feeling of a gentle breeze, which will go a long way in making you all feel better.
Check The Humidity
Another culprit behind the feeling of excessive heat is high humidity. In some areas, the humidity is inherently high due to the geography of the location. Your AC will only remove some of it, which may not be enough to make you feel relaxed. So what do you do? Like a typical homeowner, you go and lower the temperature further. Does it serve the purpose? Absolutely not. What it does is increase your electricity bill. What you need is a dehumidifier to assist your cooling system. Once the humidity comes back within a healthy range, your old temperature setting will be enough to cool your house.
Draw The Blinds
Many homes have blinds or curtains, but people use them more for getting the vibes right instead of for practical reasons. Choose the blinds or drapes wisely for those windows which get the maximum sunlight. Heavy drapes will keep out the sun and prevent the indoors from becoming warm.
Bottom Line
To make your home comfortable during the daytime, in summers, the most appropriate temperature setting is 78℉. For nighttime, you can use any setting between 60℉ to 67℉. Apart from that, use the ceiling fan and the AC together and also keep the curtains drawn to prevent the indoors from heating.
Contact the elite team of air experts at Aztil Air Conditioning for AC service in West Palm Beach, Florida. We are a reputable HVAC contractor operating in South Florida since 1981. All our technicians are trained and certified to ensure that your heating and cooling system is always in good hands. Our wide range of services covers every possible need of your HVAC system. Installations, repairs, maintenance, air duct cleaning, etc., we do it all. We even offer 24/7 emergency services. Unlike other contractors, you can reach out to us at any time.
