Sharing an air conditioner with your household can potentially lead to some debates about the best temperature setting, especially in the summer. Summertime puts people in scorching and humid situations that make them want lower temperatures once they get home, away from the heat. Other people want to save money on the energy bill and don’t mind a little discomfort. Is it possible to find a way for you and your partner to remain comfortable without causing the electricity bills to skyrocket? Let’s look at the ideal temperature for home air conditioning units in the summer.
The Ideal Temperature for Your AC in the Summer While You’re at Home
The experts recommend a setting of 78 degrees. At this temperature, you won’t run the unit at inefficient levels, and you should still feel comfortable. However, you may still want the comfort of lower temperatures. This may complicate matters, especially if your preference falls far below the direction of the Department of Energy.
Items That Impact Your Outside Comfort
If you don’t enjoy this temperature setting, you shouldn’t change it right away. Air conditioning isn’t the only way to feel cool. Before you change the temperature, look for other ways to beat the heat. Some common temperature-controlling factors you can use to cool your home include:
- Ceiling fans
- Natural sun rays
- Temperature
- Clothing
- Humidity
You can pick one or two main points out of the six, but you will get the best results when you combine the power of all six considerations together. The details complement each other, enhancing the effects.
Naturally, temperature plays the largest role in your experience. You can help reduce the temperatures in your home by covering your windows with dark curtains or drapes. A ceiling fan can create a breeze effect. Then, lower humidity levels with a dehumidifier to encourage the evaporator to soak up any residual heat that comes into contact with it. Finally, wear light fabrics and loose clothing.
Just doing the above can make you feel a few degrees cooler.
Smart Thermostat
Everything connects to the internet these days, including your thermostat. Customers enjoy these products since they have far more control over their HVAC system as well as access to instant information about electricity usage and efficiency. You can use this information to adjust your worst habits and lower your utility bills.
Smart thermostats also give you the opportunity to automatically set your temperature in advance, so you never need to worry about forgetting. However, if you do need to change the temperature, you can do it on demand from an app on your smartphone.
Maintenance
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently and last longer if you get regular maintenance. It will also make you feel more comfortable. Call your local HVAC technician to schedule maintenance once a year for new units and twice a year for older units.
When you get HVAC maintenance, the HVAC professional will perform the following tasks:
- Clean the filter
- Clean the evaporator coils
- Lubricate moving parts
- Clean the condenser unit
Home Temperature Levels in the Summer When You Leave
When you leave for work or for the day, you don’t need the temperature set at 78 degrees. Set reminders to yourself to change the temperature before you leave for the day (as long as everyone else leaves shortly behind you). However, what temperature should you use?
You want to keep the unit on since if you turn it off, your home may become sweltering hot. And you may end up using more energy to cool the hot temperature. In addition, you may have a pet at home.
Most homeowners attempt to increase the temperature up to 10 degrees or close to the outdoor temperatures to enhance efficiency.
Hire Professional HVAC Technicians
When you have questions about the best AC temperature or why you don’t seem to get the cooling levels you’d like, call the professionals for help. O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning provides heating and cooling repairs, maintenance, and installation services. We also offer indoor air quality solutions and water heaters.
Can’t afford HVAC services right now? We offer financing on approved credit to make a modern AC affordable.
Call O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning in Drexel Hill to learn more about our home comfort services today!
